TEP1026H1 F - The Happy Engineer - Positive Psychology for Engineers (Summer 2025)

Course description: Many disciplines have explored happiness – philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, neurobiology, film, art and literature – to name a few. Why not engineering? During the first part of the course we will play catch-up, examining the scholarly and creative ways that people have attempted to understand what makes for a happy life. Then we turn our attention to our own domain-expertise, applying engineering concepts like “balance”, “flow”, “amplitude”, “dynamic equilibrium”, “momentum” and others to explore the ways that your technical knowledge can contribute to a deep understanding of happiness. This course is designed to challenge you academically as we analyze texts from a variety of disciplines, but it is also designed to challenge you personally to explore happiness as it relates to yourself, your own personal development and your success and fulfillment as an engineer. 

Posting end date: March 26, 2025 

Number of positions (est): One (1) position. 

Estimated TA support: N/A 

Estimated course enrolment: 80 students 

Class schedule: TBD 

Sessional dates of appointment: May 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 

Hours: 1 HCE (up to a maximum of 230 hrs)  

Salary: CUPE minimum salary rates for a half course (HCE), inclusive of vacation pay, are: Sessional Lecturer 1 - $9,457.90; Sessional Lecturer 1 Long Term - $9,930.79; Sessional Lecturer 2 - $10,121.77; Sessional Lecturer 2 Long Term - $10,326.62; Sessional Lecturer 3 - $10,362.76 and Sessional Lecturer 3 Long Term - $10,570.02. Should rates stipulated in the Collective Agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the Collective Agreement shall prevail. 

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must have extensive experience teaching both Positive Psychology and Leadership. The applicant must have experience and knowledge of evidence-based research that links a variety of positive psychology concepts to leadership effectiveness. Applicants should have a strong record of presenting lectures with an ability to explain concepts clearly and creatively. Preference will be given to candidates with a graduate degree in Positive Psychology, Leadership or related fields. 

Preferred Qualifications: PhD in psychology, education or leadership studies. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in leadership development theory and practice. Proven track record of effective teaching and curriculum design. Understanding of the engineering profession and context. Capacity to deliver experiential pedagogy. 

Description of duties:   

• preparation of lectures and course materials 

• delivery of lectures 

• possible supervision of Teaching Assistants 

• setting and marking of projects, tests and exams 

• evaluation of final grades 

• contact with students 

• ability to convert to online duties if required 

Application Procedure: 

• Unit 3 application form 

• Application documents must be submitted via the link found in the application form in one (1) file. 

Please include only one (1) Unit 3 application, listing all courses you are applying for. Do not send separate applications for each course. 

If during the application and/or selection process you require accommodation due to a disability, please contact Chanelle Small-Reid at istep.academic@utoronto.ca 

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.  

It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment. Should rates stipulated in the collective agreement vary from rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.   

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement. 

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.