About This Course
Today, finding happiness is about mindfulness and discovering your true self. You may have heard that happiness is found by looking within. Ancient Chinese philosophy challenges all of these modern assumptions. From Confucianism to Daoism, the philosophies developed over two thousand years ago are among the most powerful in human history.
This course brings voices from the past into modern contexts to explore the path to a good life today. The philosophical concepts discussed provide tools to change your life and increase personal happiness by focusing on your actions, the power of ritual, and the importance of sensing the world around you.
Through a series of lectures, animations, discussions, and reflection diaries, this course focuses on close readings from prominent Chinese philosophers. The course requires no prior knowledge of Chinese philosophy or history and all texts are in translation.
Adapted from one of the most popular classes at Harvard, this course is now available online for the first time. Learn from award-winning professor Michael Puett and start on your path towards happiness.
What You Will Learn
- Understanding ancient Chinese philosophy to live a better life
- Tools for self-awareness, the power of ritual, and sensing the world around you
- How personal actions and counteractions change the world
- The philosophical theories of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi
Grading, Progress and Performance
This course assumes substantial and informed student participation. At a minimum, being informed requires completion of assigned readings, videos. Sections are released weekly for the first seven weeks of the course. Performance in the course will be evaluated based on the following:
- Who am I, and how should I act in the world? (20%)
- How does the world change the way I should act? (15%)
- Action and Counteraction - How do my actions change the world I live in? (15%)
- How do I live a joyful life? (15%)
- How do I improve myself? (15%)
- How do I improve the world? (15%)
- Conclusion (5%)
Inclusivity Statement
It is a requirement that you have an open mind and respect differences of all kinds. Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.
Academic Integrity
HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.
Research Statement
HarvardX pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.
Verified Certificate
EdX offers an optional fee-based ($99 USD) verified certificate to those who have passed the course. If you achieve a passing grade of 60% in this course, you are eligible to receive a verified certificate. Your certificate will indicate you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific grade. You can find your current score on the Progress page. Your score is based on the assessments and self-assessments in each unit.
EdX provides optional verified certificates to those who have:
- passed the course by the course end date
- verified their identity
- paid the certificate fee
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Feedback
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