Wellbeing, Motivation and Performance

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Pre-teaching period:

During the pre-teaching period students will be required to complete readings and experiential exercises that will be provided via LMS.

170 hours

This subject explores the science of the factors that enable individuals to operate at the peak of their potential; including how to participate in more engaging activities, how to live healthier, be more resilient, have more satisfying relationships and lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

The subject will explore teachable skills and pathways for cultivating wellbeing. Students will be exposed to a variety of disciplines including psychology, social science, education, philosophy, sports science, sociology, and organisational science.

Students will learn about the historical and philosophical views of a life-well lived; the paradigm shift from problem-focused to strengths-based approaches; and the evolution of the view of the human, from passive stimulus-response beings to active, self-directed agents.

Students will apply interventions that have been evaluated using the scientific method to increase their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of those around them.

Students will:

• Gain an interdisciplinary view of wellbeing.
• Think of ways this knowledge can be used to educate communities and society.
• Distinguish between problem-focused versus strengths-based approaches in education.
• Create innovative exercises deigned to apply this knowledge through practice.

There are two assessment tasks:

1500-word assignment on wellbeing theories and general research methods, 35%

Semester 1 availability, due mid-semester;

Intensive availability, due by Monday after end of teaching

2500-word analysis of the student’s experience applying this knowledge and research to every-day life, 65%

Semester 1 availability, due end of semester;

Intensive availability, due two weeks after the end of teaching

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Readings will be posted on the LMS.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students will able to:

• expand analytical and cognitive skills through developing ways to apply research to education.
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning through exposure to theoretical frameworks across disciplines.
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute wherever they choose to live and work through knowledge of how to increase well-being and in turn, performance outcomes in their communities.