Offered By

The Science of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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What does it mean to be generous? Can doing good actually make you feel good?
In this course, we’ll hear from multiple experts and explore the many facets of generosity by looking closely at the meanings, traits, and motivations behind giving behaviors across communities and cultures. We’ll discuss how generosity contributes to our own happiness and well-being as well as the happiness and well-being of our loved ones, our local communities, and our global society. 

We won’t just talk about generosity; you’ll be able to do good and feel good -- without spending lots of time or money. You’ll have multiple opportunities for both doing and feeling good throughout the course and you’ll create a giving plan that helps you continue your generous acts into the future.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Why “doing good” results in “feeling good”
Ways to demonstrate generosity in your everyday life
Strategies for continued giving that doesn't require a lot of time or money but results in high impact

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Femida Handy

Professor of Social Practice

School of Social Policy and Practice

1,112 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

5 hours to complete

Module 1: Generosity: Your Way, My Way, or Is There Another Way?

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 113 min), 18 readings, 5 quizzes

9 videos

Introduction and Course Goals10mDoes Generosity Improve Our Lives?11mWhat Is Generosity?13mWhat Does Generosity Look Like?17mThe Influence Of Culture and Norms7mReligious Teachings and Generosity22mAre Religious People More Generous?15mAre You Generous? Questions to Consider7mReflecting on Generosity: Intention and Impact8m

18 readings

Welcome to The Science Of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good1mWhat to Expect in This Course3mWhat the Course Team Expects from You2mAbout Dr. Handy1mWhat We Will Explore in Module 11mSuggested: There's Magic in Your Smile5mTake the Greater Good Science Center’s Empathy Quiz20mSuggested: Exploring the Definitions9mSuggested: Explore Different Ways of Being Generous30mAbout the Quiz1mInterview with Pamala Wiepking1mFor Further Exploration15mInterview with Ram Cnaan1mSuggested: Maimonides' Eight Degrees of Tzedakah2mFor Further Exploration15mSuggested: Ways of Being Generous8mAbout the Quiz1mActivity Description for Giving Activity 110m

5 practice exercises

Graded Activity: Self-Report Your Empathy Quiz Score5mUngraded Activity - Check Your Knowledge5mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge5mUngraded Reflection: Rate Your Generosity2mGraded Activity: Self-Report for Giving Activity 11m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Module 2: Why Are People Generous?

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 115 min), 14 readings, 5 quizzes

7 videos

The Key to Giving16mWhy Do Motivations Differ?16mContexts for Giving11mTypes of Giving21mWhy Is Context Important in Generosity?11mThe Role of Incentives10mWhat is High Impact Philanthropy?27m

14 readings

What We Will Explore in Module 21mSuggested: The Giving Pledge15m5 Reasons Why People Give Their Money Away – Plus 1 Why They Don’t4mFor Further Exploration15mUngraded Activity: Take the Motives to Donate Survey15mAbout the Quiz1mFor Further Exploration20mInterview with Jacob Cohen1mFor Further Exploration5mAbout the Quiz1mInterview with Katherina Rosqueta1mFor Further Exploration10mAbout the Quiz1mActivity Description for Giving Activity 210m

5 practice exercises

Graded Activity: Reflecting on Why You Give5mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge5mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge5mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge2mGraded Activity: Self-Report for Giving Activity 21m

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Module 3: Feeling Good by Doing Good

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 91 min), 10 readings, 4 quizzes

8 videos

What Does It Mean To Do Good?13mDoes Giving Feel Good? Charity vs. Taxation12mHow Are Empathy and Generosity Beneficial To Us?9mDo Motives Matter?12mGenerosity of Corporations5mExploring Corporate Social Responsibility15mWorkplace Giving6mWhy Do Individuals Give at Work?16m

10 readings

What We Will Explore in Module 31mExploring the Research3mInterview with Sara Konrath1mFor Further Exploration4mFor Further Exploration15mAbout the Quiz1mWhat is Corporate Social Responsibility?1mFor Further Exploration4mAbout the Quiz1mActivity Description for Giving Activity 345m

4 practice exercises

Graded Activity: How does giving make you feel?3mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge5mUngraded Activity: Check Your Knowledge3mGraded Activity: Self-Report for Giving Activity 31m

Week4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Module 4: Facilitating Generosity in Yourself and in Others

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 104 min), 11 readings, 6 quizzes

9 videos

Exploring the Myths15mTime vs. Money7mWeighing Costs and Benefits13mWhy Do Individuals Give Time and Money?9mWho Is a Volunteer?7mExploring the Net-Cost Theory in Volunteering10mEmpathy: Exploring the Research14mReflecting on Generosity13mContinuing Your Generosity into the Future12m

11 readings

What We Will Explore in Module 41mAbout: Your View - Who Is a Volunteer?1mFurther Exploration3mEmpathy Quiz: Take 220mFor Further Exploration16mAbout the Quiz1mActivity Description for Giving Activity 420mAbout the Cumulative Quiz1m How to Structure Your Giving Plan5mGrading Criteria for the Giving Plan3mPost-Course Survey5m

5 practice exercises

Ungraded Activity: Your View - Who Is a Volunteer?5mGraded Activity - Revisiting the Greater Good Science Center’s Empathy Quiz1mUngraded Activity - Check Your Knowledge7mGraded Activity: Self-Report for Giving Activity 41mGraded Activity - Cumulative Quiz30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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The Science of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good

The Science of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good

About this Course

What you will learn