RSE2003 Resilience, Positive Psychology and Wellbeing (4 ECTS)   Optional study unit, first semester   

Resilience, positive psychology and other strengths-based approaches to human development have been gaining increasing salience in both research and practice in the last decades in various contexts such as families, schools, communities, health systems and the work place amongst others. There is increasing demand for more knowledge and skills related to these areas across disciplines ranging from psychology, counselling, social work, to education, to health related professionals to human resources and the workplace. This broad study unit is recommended for all students at the University, particularly those in the faculties of social wellbeing, education, and health sciences, who wish to learn more about the fields of resilience, positive psychology and other strengths based approaches and their application to various contexts such as homes, schools, communities and health related contexts.  

RSH3003 Promoting Positive Behaviour in the Early Years (4 ECTS)  

This study unit seeks to address a growing need in Maltese early years and primary schools, namely the promotion of positive behaviour and the prevention and effective response to challenging behaviour in early years education. It reflects the current changes and challenges being faced by classroom teachers in the early years, and seeks to provide them with the necessary tools to help them promote social and emotional education and respond effectively to challenging behaviour. It provides course participants with practical tools in creating classroom contexts which promote positive behaviour, mental health and resilience in young children, in preventing and responding effectively to challenging behaviour, and in supporting students presenting social, emotional and behaviour difficulties. This study unit is offered in the B.Ed (Hons) Early Years programme at the Faculty of Education.

RSE 5001 A Whole School Approach to Social and Emotional Learning (5 ECTS)

In this study-unit course participants will have the opportunity to become aware of the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) in teaching and learning and how as teachers and aspiring school leaders they can promote SEL through a whole school, systemic approach. In the first part, participants will explore the foundations of relational and emotional development in childhood and adolescence as well as in adulthood, and how these are related to the teaching and learning processes, In the second part, a whole school approach to SEL will be presented, including curricular, instructional, contextual, organisational, and relational aspects, and course participants will have the opportunity to explore how as aspiring school leaders they can mobilise their school to adopt and implement such an approach. The third part addresses the health and wellbeing of the school staff itself, with course participants having the opportunity to explore, through practical activities, how they may develop their own and their staff's emotional and relational competences.This study unit is offered in the M.A. in Educational Leadership and Management at the Faculty of Education.