SH Micro courses

Core CRedits

Teaching Sustainable Happiness

This course is designed for educators who are interested in applying Sustainable Happiness in their classroom.

Objectives:

1. Introduction to Sustainable Happiness with an emphasis on applications for education.

2. Sharing resources and experiential learning activities.

3. Applying Sustainable Happiness to courses that participants are teaching.

Sustainable Happiness Research Foundation

A comprehensive literature review of the research Sustainable Happiness builds upon. Students will be encouraged to be critical and challenge prevailing assumptions in research foundational to happiness studies, sustainability, and positive psychology. This course will invite participants to consider potential research directions regarding Sustainable Happiness.

Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of research from positive psychology, happiness studies, and sustainability.

2. Constructively critique the literature and consider potential new directions for research.

Introduction to Sustainable Happiness

Students are introduced to Sustainable Happiness through applied project-based learning. It is designed for participants who have no prior education in Sustainable Happiness. Students who have backgrounds in sustainability, well-being, and positive psychology will revisit familiar topics through a new framework.

Objectives:

1. Introduce Sustainable Happiness through a similar experiential learning perspective that is used in the Sustainable Happiness Certificate.

2. Apply Sustainable Happiness through a project that the participant(s) design and implement.

Journal Facilitation

A tutorial for facilitating the Sustainable Happiness Semester journal in small groups or classrooms.

Objectives:

1. Introducing the Sustainable Happiness Semester journal background, design, and pilot study.

2. Responding to selected questions to demonstrate how the journal may be used.

3. Discussing general principles and practices of facilitation.

Nature and Well-Being

The benefits of nature's connection to human well-being have been the focus of emerging research and Sustainable Happiness places considerable emphasis on understanding how human well-being is interconnected with other species and the ecosystems that sustain us. This course will explore the research literature along with numerous opportunities for experiential learning.

Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of the research literature regarding nature and well-being, along with opportunities to critically consider the strengths and limitations of the literature.

2. Introduce numerous nature-connection activities and resources for fostering nature connection.

Redefining Sustainability

This course will review the uses/misuses of sustainability in the media, research, and marketing. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and case studies students will gain a foundational understanding of sustainability in a modern context enabling them to better contribute to a more sustainable future both personally and professionally.

Objectives:

1. Develop a deeper understanding of the use/misuse of ‘sustainability’ and related terms.

2. Define sustainability both personally and professionally.

Elective Credits

Sustainable Food

A brief overview of the sustainable food movement and innovations in sustainable food group discussions will centre around the personal and professional applications of sustainable food production and consumption.

Objectives:

1. Introduce the diverse connections between food and sustainability.

2. Provide an overview of the many facets of the sustainable food movement.

3. Explore options for applying lessons learned, personally/professionally.

Happiness & Media Literacy

A literature review and discussion on the positive and negative effects media has on personal and collective well-being.

Objectives:

1. Using research literature to explore how the media impacts personal and collective well-being.

2. Identify options for applying this personally/professionally.

The Rise of Fast Fashion

This course will cover topics such as conspicuous consumption, the economic, social, and environmental impacts of fast fashion, the rise of the second-hand market, and personal applications for creating a more environmentally sustainable wardrobe.

Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of the impact of fashion on economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

2. Explore sustainable innovations in the fashion industry.

3. Applying lessons learned to create a more sustainable wardrobe.

Sustainable Happiness Around the World

A summary of projects and innovations around the world that model sustainable happiness.

Objectives:

1. Provide global examples that reflect Sustainable Happiness, even though that term may not be used by the projects and organizations that are showcased.

2. Encourage participants to identify similar initiatives, locally, nationally, or internationally.

Health and Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic collectively deepened our understanding of the link between our mental well-being and our physical well-being as well as inspired a new wave of research on how our environment affects us. This course will review research on the frontier of this topic and look for opportunities to apply what is learned to day-to-day life.

Objectives:

1. Explore research and practical examples of how human and environmental health and well-being are interconnected.

2. Identify options for enhancing lessons learned into day-to-day choices.

Edible Landscapes

This course will introduce students to the domestic and international examples of edible landscapes, the people who cultivate them, and the sustainable initiatives that are often inspired by edible landscapes.

Objectives:

1. Provide an introduction to edible landscapes and their contribution to Sustainable Happiness as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Explore innovations in edible landscape projects and entrepreneurial initiatives.

Living Schools

This course will introduce students to the Living Schools framework as well as the educators and staff that make Living Schools possible.

Objectives:

1. Introduce the concept of Living Schools and their relevance for Sustainable Happiness.

2. Share examples of schools that reflect the Living Schools Attributes and Practices.

3. Share resources that educators may use to identify how their school already reflects the Living Schools Attributes and Practices as well as potential next steps they would like to take.

Positive Ageing

Positive aging focuses on options for practicing Sustainable Happiness in one’s senior years. Participants will explore choices that are available to them for enhancing their own well-being, the well-being of others as well as environmental well-being.

Objectives:

1. Provide an introduction to Sustainable Happiness through the experiential process that is used in the Sustainable Happiness Certificate – adapted, as needed for senior participants.

2. Discuss challenges and opportunities for applying Sustainable Happiness in the personal life of participants.

CONTINUED EDUCATION - NEXT STEPS!

Our micro courses can be taken independently or along side our 20Hr Certificate and Facilitator Training Program.

The Sustainable Happiness 20Hr Certificate is an 8week introductory course. Completion of the Sustainable Happiness 20Hr Certificate is a requirement for the Sustainable Happiness Facilitator Training program. The Facilitator Training is a comprehensive 6-month long program that prepares you to become a Sustainable Happiness Facilitator and offer your own Sustainable Happiness Certificates!