EdX

The Science of Generosity: Do Good…Feel Good (edX)

The Science of Generosity: Do Good…Feel Good (edX)

Explore how generosity can increase your own happiness and make a difference in the communities around you. Skip About this course
What does it mean to be generous? Can giving make you happier and healthier? 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.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

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.

What you'll learn

  • Identify behaviors that demonstrate generosity and prosocial behaviour
  • Identify values, perceptions, and meanings of generosity in a variety of communities and cultures
  • Describe why “doing good” results in “feeling good”
  • Describe motivations for generosity and prosocial behavior
  • Reflect on giving strategies and their impact
  • Create a giving plan that supports continued generosity
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life, with Sandi Toksvig (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Humanists UK

Introducing Humanism: Non-religious Approaches to Life, with Sandi Toksvig (FutureLearn)

Learn about humanism - a non-religious, ethical worldview shared by millions across the world. Presented by Sandi Toksvig. Learn about how humanists approach life's big questions. Humanism is a non-religious, ethical world view shared by millions of people around the world. Humanists believe that this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity.

Jan 18th 2021
5-12 Weeks
The Science of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

The Science of Generosity: Do Good...Feel Good (Coursera)

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.

Jun 15th 2026
4 Weeks
Managing Happiness (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Managing Happiness (edX)

Managing Happiness encourages you to explore the science of happiness, allowing you to find your truest self. Through cutting-edge survey tools, the best research, and trends in social science, neuroscience, and philosophy to help learners unlock the strategies to create a more purposeful life, full of long-lasting enjoyment and satisfaction.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work (edX) EdX
University of California, Berkeley,BerkeleyX

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work (edX)

Learn research-based skills to strengthen empathy and trust, improve collaboration, and create more innovative, productive, and satisfying experiences at work. One of the key insights from the science of happiness is that our own personal happiness depends heavily on our relationships with others. By tuning into the needs of other people, we actually enhance our own emotional well-being.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Entrepreneurship in Nonprofits (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Basel

Entrepreneurship in Nonprofits (FutureLearn)

Take a look at the world of social entrepreneurship and familiarize yourself with new concepts and methods of entrepreneurship. Learn about economic tools to become a successful social entrepreneur. Nonprofit organizations operate globally in many areas. They address societal issues in fields like health, culture and arts, environment, education and research. With their work, they make a significant contribution to sustainable social and ecological development.

Apr 10th 2023
5-12 Weeks
Faith and Finance (edX) EdX
Boston University,BUx

Faith and Finance (edX)

Learn about the complex relationships between faith and money, and acquire strategies for wise, faith-based stewardship of finances. This course provides a progressive, holistic, Christian theological framework, in dialogue with other religious traditions, for wise personal and institutional financial stewardship.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Introduction to Healthcare Management (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to Healthcare Management (Coursera)

In Introduction to Healthcare Management, you’ll learn the daily operation and management of healthcare delivery organizations and nonprofits, focusing on transformational leadership and decision-making processes. Explore the structure of healthcare organizations, the roles of clinical professionals, the importance of quality improvement, fundraising and community partnerships, effective communication strategies, and advocacy in healthcare.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Content Strategy for Professionals: Ensuring Your Content's Impact (Coursera) Coursera
Northwestern University

Content Strategy for Professionals: Ensuring Your Content's Impact (Coursera)

In the fourth course of the Content Strategy Specialization - Ensuring Your Content's Impact - you will look at visual communication and the ways you can be more effective with your font choices, photography, and video. You'll also dive deeper into social communities to help you understand how these communities form and what you can do to build your role within them. The last module is pivotal for Content Strategists. It will help you to understand how best to measure your content to maximize its effectiveness relative to the time you commit to it.

Sep 9th 2024
3 Weeks
Positive Psychology (edX) EdX
American Psychological Association,APA

Positive Psychology (edX)

In this course you will learn about positive psychology, the scientific study of how psychological states, such as happiness, and character strengths, such as optimism and gratitude, contribute to well-being. You will learn about research on ways you can thrive and flourish personally and professionally. Upon completing this course, you will understand the important roles that positive emotions, relationships, and meaning play in happiness, life satisfaction, and mental health.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Well-Being and Positive Thinking (edX) EdX
State Bank of India - SBI

Well-Being and Positive Thinking (edX)

The world has undergone significant transformations in recent years. The pace of change is rapid. We strive to achieve success in every aspect of our lives in this changing world. To maintain the pace, we need energy and strength. Well-being and Positive Thinking are the key determinants of maintaining the mood, energy, enthusiasm and to live a meaningful life. Well-being makes you stronger and positive thinking makes you see life in a better light.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Thriving 101: Designing a Fulfilling Life & Career (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Thriving 101: Designing a Fulfilling Life & Career (Coursera)

Are you ready to enhance your life?  Are you craving more fulfillment and less stress?  Is it possibly time to make a career change? Before aimlessly and impulsively diving into changes in your life, it’s a smart move to take the time to learn what the science and other experts have revealed truly leads to fulfilling lives and careers.   

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks