10145122Studies in Gratitude, Optimism & Well-Being (GrOW)
Course Information
Description
Explore mindfulness and resilience techniques that assist in achieving work or other life goals. Examine research-based exercises and strategies to increase gratitude, develop optimism and improve well-being. Learn how to develop habits, overcome obstacles and align character strengths to daily activities. Implement coping mechanisms to foster a purpose-driven life.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Explore the past and present of the mindfulness discipline
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, journal
    Criteria
    Analyze the origins of mindfulness.
    Identify landmark studies and researchers that led to the current state of the mindfulness discipline.
    Describe the components of mindfulness.
    Differentiate between gratitude, optimism and well-being.
    Predict future trends in the practice of mindfulness.

  2. Examine current methodologies to decrease anxiety and increase productivity
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, journal, quiz
    Criteria
    Examine the state of college student mental health and wellness.
    Analyze effects of stress.
    Describe the use of establishing rituals as a method to decrease anxiety.
    Define life priorities and methods for achieving goals.

  3. Develop strategies for improving well-being in your own life.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, journal
    Criteria
    Define the components of well-being.
    Implement gratitude and positivity techniques in a work or life situation.
    Recognize how the interventions affected the beneficiary and yourself.
    Analyze the impact of present-mindedness in work or other life roles.

  4. Implement your top signature strengths into work or other life activities
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, strengths survey
    Criteria
    Identify character strengths.
    Interpret top signature strengths.
    Align daily activities, habits, and rituals with signature strengths.

  5. Apply rituals, habits, and persistent practice to work and other life roles
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration, written product
    Criteria
    Identify the different types of persistent practice, rituals and habits.
    Describe the cycle of endless refinement and its relationship to continual improvement.
    Specify how habits are reflected in your work and other life roles.
    Justify the value of repetition when performing habits.
    Describe how belief influences actual performance.
    Examine the role of intention and action.

  6. Use the WOOP Process (wish, outcome, obstacles, plan)
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz
    Criteria
    Identify daily activities.
    Describe obstacles encountered.
    Create a plan for overcoming obstacles in the future.
    Describe the successes or challenges in using persistent practice.

  7. Apply resilience techniques to work or life challenges
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, journal
    Criteria
    Identify resilience techniques or strategies.
    Define grit and its use in successful business or life applications.
    Implement preventative measures.
    Rationalize the development of these techniques in order to prepare for work or life struggles.

  8. Apply principles of gratitude, optimism, and well-being into a real-world project
    Assessment Strategies
    Final project, oral presentation, peer review
    Criteria
    Discuss the ways that GrOW techniques or strategies impacted your life.
    Evaluate how the interventions affected the lives of others around you.
    Consider how living a life of gratitude can enhance human flourishing.