200061 SE Advanced Seminar: Work, Economy, and Society (2018S)

This seminar aims to advance participant’s knowledge and understanding of processes and mechanisms (cognitive, affective, attentional etc.) that explain how human wellbeing and happiness develop in dependency from individual, societal and environmental factors. To that goal, participants will be exposed during the course of the seminar to research findings, theories, controversies and current academic debates in this overreaching and exciting field of wellbeing research. Participants will gain deeper insight into specific topics such as the value of and choice between life resources (time vs. money/ work vs. leisure), influence of wealth and life experiences, emotional wellbeing, mindfulness meditation, nudging and self-regulation or pro-social behavior. Covered will be also fundamentals such as conceptual issues and measurement. Besides acquiring the “bigger picture”, the seminar will also facilitate transfer of this knowledge to applications in personal, social or occupational areas of life.

The above outlined aims and contents should be accomplished mainly trough reading, discussing, fostering critical and integrative thinking as well as development of ideas.

The seminar is held in 3 hour blocks every two weeks; each block will consist of a short lecture, followed by a discussion (short paper presentations/ Q&A), exercises and project presentations.