Yale’s Most Popular Class Ever: Happiness

The Psyc 157, Psychology and the Good Life class initially started with 300 people that rose to 1,200 students, after just three days. The course is being taught by Laurie Santos, head of Yale’s resident colleges and psychology professor.

Santos wants to see a change in her students, she believes that students themselves want to change.

“With one in four students at Yale taking it, if we see good habits, things like students showing more gratitude, procrastinating less, increasing social connections, we’re actually seeding change in the school’s culture,” said Santos.

In a 2013 report, published by Yale College Council, it stated that almost half of the undergrad students sought help from the mental health care department of the university. Yale’s students had demanded that the university offer a course on positive psychology.

The management has not anticipated such a huge response. Currently, there are 1,182 undergraduates enrolled in the course. Which is almost twice the amount of students that Yale has in large lectures.

The course deals with two aspects; positive psychology and behavioral change. It also features a ‘Hack Yo’Self Project”, the project is aimed at personal self-improvement.

Santos is eager to see if her teaching can alter Yale’s campus life. However, she does not plan to offer the course again.