Nalini Elisa Ramlal, PhD, OCT

nalinir@yorku.ca

In this class, we will be exploring ideas, theories, and challenges to the following questions: What is the meaning of (my) life? What is happiness, and how can I achieve it? Is God necessary for happiness? What does religion say about happiness? What is death, and what does it mean to me? What can science tell us about happiness? How does this apply to modern-day issues? We will be exploring related questions (e.g., does wealth matter when it comes to happiness, how can psychology help us to be happy?), in addition to some non-Western perspectives.

Technical requirements for taking the course: A computer with Internet is required to access the pre-recorded lecture and weekly content. Students should attend tutorials with a writing utensil and paper.

Here are some useful links for student computing information, resources and help:

Student Guide to Moodle

Zoom@YorkU Best Practices 

Zoom@YorkU User Reference Guide

Computing for Students Website

Student Guide to eLearning at York University

To determine Internet connection and speed, there are online tests, such as

Speedtest, that can be run.]

Times and locations: Please note that this is a course that depends on both remote and in-person teaching and learning. This is a blended course. Lectures will be delivered asynchronously online. Ensure that you have access to high-speed Internet to view lecture material and additional videos/learning content uploaded on e-class. Tutorials will be held live, weekly, at the specific location indicated on York’s schedule. Tutorial participation is part of your overall course grade, and students are highly encouraged to attend and participate in weekly tutorials.

Virtual office hours: Mondays, 9:30-10:30AM via Zoom. Link provided on the course website.

Besser, L.L. (2021). The philosophy of happiness: An interdisciplinary introduction. Routledge.

Klemke, E.D. & Cahn, S.M. (2018). The meaning of life (fourth edition). Oxford.

Test 1: 25%

Test 2: 30%

Test 3: 20%

In tutorial participation: 15%

In-class/tutorial reflections: 10%

Additional Information: See dates for tests below. Further information regarding the course assessments will be discussed on the course website. All tests are written in tutorial. Students must attend tutorials in order to receive participation marks. At the end of each tutorial without a written test, students may submit a one-page double-spaced reflection (written) at the end of class to count toward their tutorial reflection. Students should submit a total of 5, worth up to 2% each. Further details will be discussed on the course website.

• This course has both synchronous and asynchronous elements.
• Lectures are uploaded at the start of every week. You should view the lecture prior to your tutorial. Lectures and additional course content will be uploaded to e-class. This portion of the course is online asynchronous.
• Tutorials are held live and in-person at the designated room specified on your course schedule. Unless otherwise indicated, tutorials are held on a weekly basis. Tests will be written during tutorials. Your in-class reflections are due at the end of tutorials (more information below). Your teaching assistant will also be grading you on your overall in-tutorial participation.

1. Explore various philosophical theories on the meaning of life and happiness.
2. Evaluate theories and ideas related to the meaning of life and happiness.
3. Compare and contrast theories and western and non-western perspectives.
4. Formulate ideas on what it means to live a good life.
5. Understand the psychology of happiness.
6. Apply theories to one’s own life and modern-day problems.
7. Develop critical thinking and evaluative skills.
8. Further develop time management skills by completing readings, watching lecture content, and arriving to/leaving tutorials on time.
9. Develop public speaking skills by engaging with peers and teaching assistants in tutorials.
10. Enhance writing skills through class reflections.

Course policies

• The recordings should be used for educational purposes only and as a means

for enhancing accessibility; 2) students do not have permission to duplicate, copy

and/or distribute the recordings outside of the class (these acts can violate not only

copyright laws but also FIPPA).

• The standard time for returning graded assignments is two weeks from the date of the assignment. If additional time is needed for grading, your teaching assistant will let you know.
• A make-up test will be considered only upon presentation of verifiable documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note). A failure to provide one will result in a zero. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teaching assistant if a test is missed. Students must contact the teaching assistant within 48 hours of a missed test to schedule a make-up. This is the student’s responsibility. There are no A request for a make-up test does not guarantee one.

Student, TA, or professor materials created for this course (including presentations and posted notes, labs, case studies, assignments and

• exams) remain the intellectual property of the author(s). They are intended for personal use and may not be reproduced or
• Students should keep up with course readings as per the schedule Students will be responsible in managing their time in approaching textbook material and concepts selected by the instructor. The instructor is available throughout the semester to meet with students. It is strongly recommended that students consult with her as needed. You are expected to plan your time wisely and complete assessments on time.
• Reweighting of course material is not
• Please do not email any course work to any member of the teaching team. Emailed work will be given a grade of
• Use of AI generative tools (e.g., Chat GPT) are not permitted in the use of completing and submitting evaluations/course assessments. While students may use these tools to gather knowledge or for other educational purposes, using these tools to create and submit an answer/response would be considered plagiarism and a violation of academic integrity.
• Late policy: tests may not be submitted late. Participation is graded as ongoing throughout the term. Students have 8 opportunities/tutorials to submit 5 reflections, therefore no work may be submitted late/there is no late policy for this course. Reflections may not be submitted after the final in-person tutorial (see schedule below).

Course Schedule:

Introduction to the course: Week of Sept. 4^th

• Introduction to the course
• Course expectations
• No tutorials held this week

Week 1: Week of Sept. 9^th

• Happiness, Besser, Chapters 1-3
• The meaning of life, Klemke & Cahn, Chapters 16-19

Week 2: Week of Sept. 16^th

• Happiness as a state of mind, Besser, Chapters 4 and 5

Week 3: Week of Sept. 23^rd

• What makes people happy, Besser, Chapters 6-8

Week 4: Week of Sept. 30^th

• Test 1, written in tutorial

Week 5: Week of Oct. 7^th

• What makes people happy, Besser, Chapters 9-11

Reading Week: Week of Oct. 14^th

Week 6: Week of Oct. 21^st

• Theism and the meaning of life, Klemke & Cahn, Introduction, Chapters 1-5
• End of life, Klemke & Cahn, Chapters 20-25

Week 7: Week of Oct. 28^th

• Non-theistic alternatives to the meaning of life, Klemke & Cahn, Chapters 6-10

Week 8: Week of Nov. 4^th

• Test 2, written in tutorial

Week 9: Week of Nov. 11^th

• Non-theistic alternatives to the meaning of life, Klemke & Cahn, Chapters 11-15

Week 10: Week of Nov. 18^th

• Meaning of life and happiness, applicability to modern-day issues, Besser, Chapters 12-14

Week 11: Week of Nov. 25^th

• Test 3

Final Class/Wrapping Up: Week of Dec. 2^nd

• No tutorials held this week