Welcome to  "Feeling Our Feelings: Exploring Affective Science & the Study of Human Emotions " 

Children, and often grownups, have a very limited vocabulary when it comes to identifying and discussion emotions. Often times this is limited to "happy, sad, and mad". This class is deigned to build emotional literacy and help students identify and understand their feelings on a deeper level through the study of Affective Science. Affective Science is a multidisciplinary field that explores the study of human emotions and the underlying processes that shape our emotional experiences. It encompasses various disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, sociology, and anthropology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the affective domain of human beings.

In this course, we will unravel the complexities of emotions by investigating their nature, origins, expressions, and effects on human cognition, behavior, and overall well-being. Together we will examine how emotions are generated, regulated, and experienced, as well as how they influence our decision-making, social interactions, and mental health.

At the heart of this class lies the pursuit of self-awareness. By recognizing and acknowledging our emotions, we can gain a clearer understanding of our inner selves. We will explore various techniques and exercises designed to to help students identify, label, and articulate their feelings accurately. 

Finally, students will learn how being able identify emotions and articulate how they are feeling will help build meaningful connections with others. By understanding our own emotions, we can empathize with and comprehend the feelings of those around us. Through interactive discussions, group activities, and real-life scenarios, students will develop the skills to recognize and respond to the emotional states of others, promoting effective communication and foster empathy and compassion.

Based on the research of Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown, each week will cover emotions that correlate with the chapters of the book. However, students do not need the book to participate in the class as it will only be used as a guide. Information in this class does not build on itself, so students may join at any time. 

Places We Go When:
September 4: Things are Uncertain or Too Much- Stress, Overwhelm, Anxiety, Worry, Avoidance, Excitement, Dread, Fear, Vulnerability 
September 11: We Compare- Comparison, Admiration, Reverence, Envy, Jealously, Resentment, Schadenfrude, Freudenfreude 
September 18: Things Don't Go As Planned- Boredom, Disappointment, Expectation, Regret, Resignation, Frustration 
September 25: Its Beyond Us- Awe, Wonder, Confusion, Curiosity, Interest, Surprise 
October 2:  Things Aren't What They Seem- Amusement, Bittersweetness, Nostalgia, Cognitive Dissonance, Paradox, Irony, Sarcasm 
October 9: We are Hurting- Anguish, Hopelessness, Despair, Sadness, Grief 
October 16: With Others- Compassion, Pity, Empathy, Sympathy, Boundaries, Comparative Suffering 
October 23: We Fall Short- Shame, Self-Compassion, Perfectionism, Guilt, Humiliating, Embarrassment
October 30: The Search for Connection- Belonging, Fitting In, Connection, Disconnection, Insecurity, Invisibility, Loneliness
November 6: Life is Good- Joy, Happiness, Calm, Contentment, Gratitude, Foreboding Joy, Relief, Tranquility 
November 13: We Feel Wronger - Anger, Contempt, Disgust, Dehumanization, Hate, Self-Righteousness 
November 20: We Self Assess- Pride, Hubris, Humility