Location:

Athens, Greece

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

What contributes to a satisfying, meaningful, and engaging life? What conditions allow people to flourish? This two-week study abroad course offers a deep dive into positive psychology, starting at its roots. This course will review core concepts in the philosophy and science of well-being, including positive emotions, purpose in life, and resilience. Students will gain access to the latest research and engage in experiential learning to apply scientific inquiry to the understanding of a life well-lived.  The study of happiness is rooted in ancient Greece. Greek philosophers, most famously Aristotle, spoke on happiness and their theories of the Good Life. Greece will be used as a case study to illustrate cultural differences in the experience, expression, and societal valuation of well-being. Students will explore Greece’s strong roots in philosophy including eudaimonic and hedonic traditions of happiness, and explore connections to modern theory, research, and practice on well-being. Integration of classroom and experiential learning will facilitate open communication around varying cultural definitions and expressions of well-being, foster reflections about their personal beliefs about positive experiences and institutions, and encourage the pursuit of novel experiences that increase their own levels of flourishing.

Program Details

Seeking credit for the following:

Undergraduate:

• Psychology (PSYC) 417: Science of Well Being
• Psychology (PSYC) 461: Special Topics

Eligibility

This program is open to all undergraduate students including students who do not attend George Mason University.

Housing

Double or triple occupancy in hotels

Cost:

Program Cost (Summer 2017): $4290 Included: Tuition (3 credits) Accommodations Some meals Group excursions and activities, including transportation Pre-Departure Orientation International Emergency Insurance Not Included: Round-trip airfare Other transportation Some meals Personal spending

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes