Incorporating Ashoka U into Psychology teaching

The Division of Psychology at the University of Northampton is engaging with the University’s Ashoka-U Changemaker agenda in two specific ways during the 2014-15 academic year. These two initiatives will impact both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Psychology is offering a new first year undergraduate module in Positive Psychology. The core study area for this module are the 'Values in Action' catalogue of virtues and character strengths. One of Positive Psychology’s central tenets is that well-being can best be achieved through the development of positive character strengths. This contrasts with more traditional approaches in Psychology that seek to target pathologies and deficits. Positive Psychology’s ‘Values in Action’ character strengths resonate totally with the Changemaker + values and behaviours. As a result, this new module will be used to platform our employability and Changemaker agendas for first year students. Students will encounter a number of different topics from a Positive Psychology perspective. These topics include stress and resilience, health and happiness, work satisfaction, spirituality, relationships, and optimal performance and achievement. A new MSc programme in Psychology has provided the second opportunity to engage psychology students by embedding Changemaker activities into the curriculum. The work here will mirror many of the aspects of the undergraduate Changemaker initiative, but use postgraduate topics to drive these forward. Employability and psychology career development are essential elements in this work as Postgraduate students will be encouraged to be active in Changemaker initiatives. This presentation will outline the developing plans. Graham Mitchell and Lesley-Ann Smith 26th June 2014