The secret to happiness may be as simple as going to class. That’s the case for students in Happiness in Life and Relationships (HDFS 174), a College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS) course being offered for this first time this spring.
“It is a great course that is thought-provoking and is pushing me to dive in the deeper parts of myself and my life to reach a personal understanding,” said student Janet Rodriguez. “I wanted to explore my own happiness and what it truly means to me.”
So far, so good.
“I really enjoy and appreciate how educated, vulnerable, and deep everyone gets into our discussions,” Rodriguez said. “I think through the discussions is where I truly find understanding and even reflect. The course requires deep thinking and reading to understand the material.”
Student Adrian Coburn said she appreciates the discussions and the philosophy aspect as well as delving into what it truly means to be happy.
“Reading and hearing my peers’ perspectives on happiness helps me better understand and have compassion for others,” Coburn said. “I would tell other students to make sure they are open to learning about happiness. I would also encourage them to be true to themselves while taking the course.”
Twenty-one students enrolled in the inaugural course which is taught by Dr. April Ilkmen, clinical assistant professor and director of NIU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic. 
“It is a rewarding experience for me to introduce students to philosophers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger and Camus, and review how people questioned the meaning of life throughout history,” Ilkmen said. “I think the historical overview gives students a baseline to compare modern day meaning of happiness with the historical definitions.
While there isn’t a happiness textbook for the course, students read peer-reviewed articles which gives them an opportunity to become reflective and stay curious about themselves and other people.
“It is impressive to see undergraduate students actively reading these articles and reflecting on the topics,” Ilkmen said. “I hope students come up with their own definition of happiness and get an idea of what stands in the way of becoming happy in their personal life.”
Contact chhs@niu.edu to learn more about courses including Happiness in Life and Relationships.
