The Wellbeing Formula will introduce you to the psychological science and practice of wellbeing. It will draw on psychological theory, research evidence, and practical techniques to help you understand the factors that create flourishing individuals, communities, and societies.

Specifically, this course will provide you with an understanding of current theoretical models and research evidence regarding the factors that promote the capacity for people to thrive. Among these factors are developing the ability to:
• have a deep sense of self-acceptance,
• experience positive emotions,
• be fully engaged in life,
• have positive relationships with others,
• experience a sense of accomplishment,
• have a sense that your life is valuable and meaningful,
• experience personal growth through life’s difficulties,
• have a sense of being in charge of your own life, and
• optimise your physical health.

In addition to its focus on psychological factors, the course will address sociocultural factors in terms of the societal determinants of wellbeing and how to build flourishing communities and societies. More than helping you to gain an intellectual understanding of the science of wellbeing, this course will also provide instruction in key strategies whereby you can understand the processes involved in enhancing your own wellbeing and that of others. This course will move away from a more traditional focus on illness to one on health, from what causes us to experience distress to what protects us against distress, from a focus on eliminating problems to cultivating strengths, and from how our suffering can be minimised to how we can thrive.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Distinguish between common misconceptions versus theoretical models and empirical evidence regarding the contributors to wellbeing.
2. Understand the key psychological factors contributing to wellbeing including self-acceptance, positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, accomplishment, meaning, personal growth, autonomy, and a healthy lifestyle;
3. Understand the key sociocultural factors contributing to wellbeing;
4. Be aware of reliable and valid questionnaires for assessing wellbeing constructs;
5. Implement strategies to enhance personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of others;
6. Critique the wellbeing literature in terms of its current limitations so as to understand fruitful directions for future research.

Research-Led Teaching

The lectures in this course will draw from contemporary research in psychology. Students will be presented with key experimental and other research findings within lectures to demonstrate theoretical aspects of psychology and how the application of psychological knowledge can help to address real world issues. Where relevant, key research interests of members of the Research School of Psychology at the ANU will be highlighted. 

Examination Material or equipment

All students will be required to attend the online examination (there will be a final online examination for this course). Other relevant information will be provided at a later date. Information about the scheduling of the examination will be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable.

Required Resources

There will be no prescribed textbook. Instead, each lecture will have the following:

1. A scientific paper
2. A popular scientific paper (e.g., from Psychology Today or Scientific American)
3. One video (e.g., a TED Talk) will also be prescribed based on the rationale that videos (1) provide good modelling in terms of how leading scientists effectively communicate their science; (2) provide a different mode of presentation; and (3) have been selected by each lecturer as providing sound coverage of the material that can be shared with others.

See Wattle for access to required readings and video clips.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Wellbeing: Myths and Evidence Associate Professor Liz Rieger
2	Positive Emotions Associate Professor Bruce Christensen	Reflective Writing Task
3	Engagement Professor Kate Reynolds	Reflective Writing Task
4	Relationships Dr Tegan Cruwys	Reflective Writing Task
5	Meaning/Purpose in Life Lisa Oxman	Reflective Writing Task
6	Autonomy Dr Amy Dawel	Reflective Writing Task, Written Assignment Due this week
7	Accomplishment/Mastery Dr Eryn Newman	Reflective Writing Task
8	Self-Acceptance Associate Professor Liz Rieger	Reflective Writing Task
9	Personal Growth Dr Dave Pasalich	Reflective Writing Task
10	Physical Health and Health Behaviours Dr Kristen Murray	Reflective Writing Task
11	Societal Determinants of Wellbeing Professor Michael Platow	Reflective Writing Task
12	Wellbeing: Integrating the Effective Ingredients Dr Eryn Newman

Tutorial Registration

N/A

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflective writing pieces (x 10, each worth 2%), worth 20% total.	20 %	*	*	2,5
Written assignment	30 %	02/09/2021	23/09/2021	2,3,4,5,6
Final examination (50%)	50 %	04/11/2021	02/12/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

On average, students are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week working on this course, including the time spent on readings. 

We will deliver course content via a combination of pre-recorded lectures and live discussions. Each week, we will present a pre-recorded online lecture on Wattle at the start of the week which will be followed by a live review/discussion with the lecturer at the scheduled lecture time. The live discussion will last for the first 30 minutes of the lecture time slot (and will be recorded). During these live discussions, you will have the chance to ask questions and review key points of the lecture content. The teaching assistant will be present at to facilitate the live online discussion. 

For example: Lecture 1: Posted video on Wattle Monday prior to the live lecture

Live Discussion Lecture 1: Monday at the scheduled lecture time, online.

Examination(s)

There is one end of semester exam.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date of when end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the exam. 

EXAM RULE

It is the policy of the Research School of Psychology that the assessment package for all courses will include an invigilated component or components (that is, taken under examination conditions) accounting for at least forty percent (40%) of the overall grade, and that a Pass mark (50% or greater) is required in at least one part of the invigilated component that counts for at least 50% of the total invigilated component, before the course can be passed as a whole

Students failing to achieve this, but who otherwise have an overall grade of 45% or better, will be offered the opportunity to sit, and pass, a further (supplementary) invigilated examination. Students achieving a passing grade (50% or better) in that supplementary invigilated examination will be eligible to pass the course overall but their final recorded course mark will be 50%.

Supplementary or special exam

At the end of the course if you have a deferred exam (DA grade) or have been offered a supplementary exam (PX grade), you will be able to sit a supplementary or special exam. The dates of the exams will be announced on Wattle.

Assessment Task 1

Reflective writing pieces (x 10, each worth 2%), worth 20% total.

You will be required to complete weekly assignments in which you put into practice some of the key concepts and strategies presented in the week’s lecture and then provide a 500-word written reflection piece. Reflective writing tasks allow you to review and think critically about a personal experience related to the course. It entails writing about your thoughts and feelings in response to experiences, opinions, events or new information. It is:

--an opportunity to gain self-knowledge,

--a way to achieve clarity and better understanding of what you are learning, and

--a chance to develop and reinforce skills that you are learning.

Reflective writing includes the following components: descriptive (e.g., outlining what happened and when something occurred), expressive (e.g., ‘I thought …’, ‘I felt …’, ‘I noted …’) and analytical/explanatory (e.g., explaining why something might have occurred).

There will be 10 required reflective writing pieces in total; one each from lectures 1-10. Each piece will contribute to 2% of your final mark (1% if submitted on time; up to a total of 2% if each section in the reflective writing template is completed to a high standard) [LO 2, 3, 5]. Please use the template posted on Wattle to complete each reflective writing piece.

Note: Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. For more information on Turnitin: http:// online.anu.edu.au/help_support/turnitin/faq-student 

The due dates for all 10 reflective assignments are listed on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Written assignment

A 2000-word essay in which students provide a critical evaluation of a wellbeing model in applied positive psychology and develop a personalised wellbeing plan based on the selected model. Due Thursday, 4pm Week 6 (the week before the mid-semester break). Note: See Wattle for further details on the written assignment.

Note: Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. For more information on Turnitin: http:// online.anu.edu.au/help_support/turnitin/faq-student 

Assessment Task 3

Final examination (50%)

The final remote exam will cover lecture content and set readings/video content for the entirety of the semester. The exam format will consist of short essay style questions. More details about the structure and procedure for the remote exam will be provided on Wattle.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment/exam. Please keep a copy of the assignment/exam for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Estimated return date: The written assignment will be available approximately three weeks after submission date (for on-time submissions). Assignment feedback will be returned via the PSYC1005 Wattle site.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

No resubmission permitted

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students