thematic explorations OFFERINGS - FALL 2009

UPCOMING CLASSES:

• Myths and Realities of Midlife Women Workshop
• The Art and Science of Happiness Workshop: A Primer in Positive Psychology
• Forgiveness Workshop: Telling Our Stories in New Way

Myths and Realities of Midlife Women Workshop
Joan Ditzion
LINTD 5006
DATE: Wednesdays, October 7-21
TIME: 7:00pm-9:00pm
LOCATION: University Hall 4-037
TUITION: Non-credit, $100

This workshop is geared to midlife women interested in thinking about the unfolding of second half of life issues. We will explore a range of issues, including health, body image, sexuality, work/family, care giving and alternative views to traditional retirement, community and your place in the larger cultural, social, political and economic contexts. The format is interactive, with discussion, group exercises, and lecture, and participants will keep a journal for self-reflection. In this environment women will feel safe and empowered to plan for the opportunities and challenges of the aging process, and able to move forward and create a vision for this next phase of life.

The Art and Science of Happiness Workshop: A Primer on Positive Psychology
Mary H. Jacobsen
LPSYC 3001
DATE: Thursdays, September 17-October 8
TIME: 6:45 pm–8:45 pm
LOCATION: University Hall 4-023
TUITION: Non-credit, $115

What activities, attitudes, and behaviors make for a happy and fulfilling life? This is the question that the burgeoning field of positive psychology sets out to answer through evidence-based study of positive emotions, happiness, and character strengths and virtues. This workshop will: introduce you to major research findings in the field; familiarize you with straightforward self-assessment tools you can use to gauge your level of happiness and your strengths; provide a personal laboratory for testing the effectiveness of happiness activities (e.g., exercises in gratitude and kindness; journaling, etc.); enable you to informally research and report on your own happiness hypothesis. The format includes in-class exercises and self-assessments, discussion, and lecture.

Forgiveness Workshop: Telling Our Stories in New Way
Elisa Pearmain and Lani Peterson
LPSYC 3002
DATE: Saturday, October 24
TIME: 9:30am-4:30pm
LOCATION: University Hall 3-100
TUITION: Non-credit, $100

Forgiveness is central to the success of relationships, and is an integral part of the emotional, spiritual and physical healing process, and yet is poorly understood. This workshop offers an opportunity to look at and relate to our stories of wounding in new ways. Through folk tale and presentations by the workshop leaders, and story sharing and writing exercises, participants will learn and practice new forgiveness strategies through shifting the way they story their life experiences.