Special Topics in Positive Psychology

Master of Art in Positive Psychology

PSY 710

Breyer State University
Professor: Thomas Schear, Ph.D.

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to Special Topics In Positive Psychology, a Masters Level course in the curriculum for the Degree, Masters in Positive Psychology. I am pleased to instruct you in this course, which will be a vital course for the remainder of your studies in the doctoral program.

In this course you will have the opportunity to address issues related to positive psychology. Presumably you have completed all the courses in the positive psychology program. The purpose of this course therefore is to give you the opportunity to either present a comprehensive model of positive psychology or to explore in greater detail a special topic in the area of positive psychology.

TIME FRAME: This is a four-semester hour course and is allotted 10 weeks of time. The first day of the week will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day you should notify me that your textbook has arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded four semester hours or credit.

EXAMINATION AND WRITING ASSIGNMENT: There is no exam for this course except to complete a term paper. You will want to access the instructions which are located at the classroom for this course. After I find that you have registered for the course I will make it so you have access to the instructions.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

91-100%    = A
81-90%      = B
71-80%      = C
Below 70% = Failed

COMMUNICATION: You are encouraged to communicate with me. I am available as a teacher, coach and mentor to assist you in meeting your goals for this course. Primarily, communication is through e-mail. However I am also available for conversation by telephone if you would like. Our classroom for this course has a "chat" room. I am also very willing to meet with you one-on-one in that chat realm at your request. From time to time, depending on how many students are enrolled in this course at a particular time, we will have some schedule group chats. You'll receive more detailed information at the time such chat sessions are scheduled. Please keep my e-mail address handy so that you can contact me whenever necessary. If at any time during this course you change your e-mail address or other contact information please be sure to notify me right away.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: My name is Tom Schear.  I have a BA, MA and Ph.D. in social work, MA in counseling, and have taken some additional graduate level courses in business and human services administration.  Finally, I am an E-Myth trained business coach and a graduate of Coach University.  I have worked at all levels of counseling agencies in Iowa and Montana, including front-line counselor, clinical director and executive director.  I now live in the town where I grew up, working out of my home providing continuing education courses for helping professionals, teaching online courses for virtual universities including Breyer State University, Canyon College and provide both online and telephone-based counseling and personal and business coaching services.  Finally, I edited/update a book on alcoholism and addiction entitled “Keeping It Simple” and a recently published book entitled “Interactive Ethics: How Ethical and Unethical Decisions are REALLY Made in Organizations.”  In my spare time I enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and spending time with my wife, Kathy and adult children, Brian and Steven and dog, Solo.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Develop, explain and further explore the model of positive psychology.
2). Explore a specific topic in the field of positive psychology that interests you and deserves further examination.
3). Demonstrate your ability to present your ideas, thoughts, research, study, etc. in a comprehensive, professional and understandable manner.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact the instructor at tschear@ccmsinc.net.

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