Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: INCREASING HAPPINESS AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE THROUGH MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION (WILL RICE)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: At a rigorous university like Rice, stress is rampant. We tend to work harder when stressed and develop a cycle of putting off “alone time” or “personal time”. This class is here to show you that setting aside just 5-10 quiet minutes a day for some mindful time can reap benefits that surprise even the instructors of this class every time new research comes out. But which methods can individuals practice to increase their happiness and self-acceptance? In this course, students will disconnect themselves from the outside world of technology, social media, and distractions for 1 hour a week, looking inwards to find the root causes of the uneasiness in oneself. Students will work on meditation, journaling, self-care, and other research-backed methods. They will learn to be stiller, observe their emotions more, and more easily identify the best actions to aid their mental health when faced with stressors. By the end of the course, they will have practiced a set of skills they can sustain long-term. Meditation and such topics often scare people, but there is absolutely no prior experience necessary for this course- we are excited to join you on this personal journey of yours, at your own pace!