SOC 352: The Sociology of Happiness
Course Description
This course introduces students to the study and pursuit of happiness, integrating findings from positive psychology, psychiatry, behavioral genetics, neuroscience, economics, and sociology. Most famously formulated in the American Declaration of Independence as an unalienable right, “the pursuit of happiness” theme is an ancient and enduring ideal grounded in various Eastern, Hebrew, Greco-Roman, and Christian sources. This course seeks to introduce students to the new science of happiness through the engagement and connection of it to these ancient and enduring ideals embodied in the institutions of politics, policy, education, law, and religion.
Faculty CV
Corey Keyes is Winship Distinguished Research Professor of Sociology in the Emory College Department of Sociology. His research focuses on positive mental health. Keyes is the author of more than one hundred peer-reviewed journal articles on flourishing, well-being, and mental health. He’s also a frequent speaker at gatherings around the world regarding his teaching and research on happiness, culture, and quality of life.
Today's Lecture
In an open forum, Keyes and the students discussed the pursuit of happiness through curiosity, creativity, and play. Keyes opened the class by asking for a show of hands of those in the class who consider themselves creative. When very few students raised their hands, he responded, “Everyone should have their hands up. We were all born artists and creative.” Students who had pursued different artistic, musical, or athletic pursuits when they were younger expressed remorse that the structure and competitiveness of artistic or athletic pursuits exclude those who don’t excel at the highest levels.
Quotes to Note
“Students have come of age in a time where society has started to think of them as students and potential employees instead of individuals—if you can’t make a living at something, you have to put it away. Capitalism has killed creativity a little bit. If it won’t sell, if it doesn’t fit into a category, if it doesn’t fit a mold, it isn’t of value.”
Students Say
“The great thing about this is that the conversations we have in class bleed over into my life after class. If I find something interesting, I talk about it with my friends and it leads to new viewpoints. A lot of classes I take are very focused on learning something, then you take the test and that’s it. This class helps me analyze my life.”—Neal Bhatia Jr., neuroscience and religion major