Building Love That Lasts

Overview

Course No. 40100

Have you ever been in love? Falling in love is the easiest thing in the world. The difficult part comes later, when you are trying to stay in love. Half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. Failing in love is just as easy as falling in love.

Enter our experts, Professor James Pawelski, cofounder of the world’s first degree program in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Suzann Pileggi Pawelski, writer, consultant, and positive psychology expert. Together, this husband-and-wife team will share vital insights and practical steps for developing long and harmonious relationships in an inspiring 12-lesson course, Building Love That Lasts. Using scientifically-based research from positive psychology coupled with ancient wisdom from ancient Greek philosophy, our experts take us on a series of visits to what they call the Relationship Gym™.

Just like building a healthy body at a fitness gym, you will need effort, consistency, a willingness to try new things, and expert guidance to get the full benefits from this Relationship Gym™. Here, you will learn about what James and Suzie call “Aristotelian love” and how it differs from the more common concept of soulmates. All of this will help you discover how to use positive psychology to enrich your relationships, focusing on four research areas: passion, positive emotions, savoring, and character.

Whether you are looking to start a relationship off on the right foot, weather difficult times, reignite the passion, or transform a good duo into a great one, Building Love That Lasts will offer you a healthy view of human connection and give you science-based tools to create the enduring, loving relationship you want.

Course Structure

1. An Introduction to Making Love Last (28 min)

• Your guides, James Pawelski and Suzann Pileggi Pawelski, suggest that we work harder at falling in love than staying in love.

1. Love Lessons from Ancient Greece (26 min)

• Explore fundamental human wants that make love tick and compare it to popular concepts of soulmates.

1. The Psychology of Lasting Love (26 min)

• Learn to cultivate research-based habits to strengthen your connections and discover your relationship superpowers.

1. Cultivating the Right Kind of Passion (31 min)

• Understand the difference between obsessive and harmonious passion and learn tools to build healthy habits.

1. The Power of Positivity (28 min)

• Discover how focusing on positivity can enhance your relationship with your partner.

1. Putting Positivity into Practice (31 min)

• Learn about the top 10 positive emotions and how to prioritize them.

1. Taking Time to Savor Your Love (30 min)

• Understand the art of savoring positive experiences to enhance your relationship.

1. Developing Effective Relationship Habits (30 min)

• Learn what it takes to make new relationship patterns stick and break bad habits.

1. Cultivating Character for Healthy Relationships (30 min)

• Identify and facilitate unique character strengths to build sustainable love.

1. Why Gratitude Matters for Lasting Love (29 min)

• Explore various ways to initiate and respond to gratitude in relationships.

1. Responding Rather Than Reacting to Your Partner (30 min)

• Discover intentional responding techniques to improve interactions.

1. Conclusion: Love Is an Action Verb (33 min)

• Follow important steps to apply your learnings and strengthen your relationship.