Anthropology of Happiness

Catalog description

This course will explore the biological, behavioral, and cultural dimensions of happiness through the interdisciplinary lens of four-field anthropology. We begin with linguistics and archaeology, and we integrate philosophy, religious studies, visual arts, and poetry to define happiness and to explore the roots and evolution of happiness into the 21st century. In unit two, we shift to biological and cultural anthropology, along with neurology, chemistry, and psychology to examine the myriad ways humans pursue and experience happiness across the world. We conclude with a final unit in which we apply our interdisciplinary knowledge to complete several short happiness projects.