CSE 88 - LearnSustainableWell-Being/CSE - Bonjour [WI26]

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CSE 88 - Learning Sustainable Well-Being: "Compassion for Self and Others"

Course Information

Instructor: Trevor Bonjour

Instructor Email: tbonjour@ucsd.edu  

Class Meetings: Fridays, 3 pm to 4:20 pm in (EBU3B) CSE 4258

Purpose

The principles taught in this class are based on Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, and Cognitive Therapy (as well as Buddhism and Neuroscience). The focus is on how to live a life where our actions are aligned with our core values, get straight to the heart of a matter, identify the issues, discriminate between real threats vs. the “stories” we tell ourselves, move away from “should”, take responsibility for our choices, not go into “victim mentality”, communicate needs effectively, bring love, mindfulness and compassion to all situations, and live wholeheartedly, without apology.

The goal is to give you the tools you need to feel empowered and to live a life you love, with purpose and clarity.

Format

Each week, I will give a short lecture on the topic, followed by workshop-style exercises. These may include: 1) private reflection, 2) group discussion, 3) dialogue between the instructor and students, and 4) partner work in which students take turns facilitating an exercise for one another. 

Please have a notebook and writing utensil ready for class to use during exercises and for your own note taking.

Grading

Grading is Pass/Not Pass, and is based on:

  1. Class attendance and active participation: In-person attendance and active participation in all exercises are required. You may miss one class during the quarter without explanation. Any additional absence must be approved by me for a valid reason (please email in advance when possible). We will discuss appropriate ways to make up missed participation.
  2. Weekly reflection/journaling essay: Each week, you will submit a short reflection of at least five thoughtful, on-topic sentences on what impacted you most from that week’s class. This is a journaling exercise, not an analytical paragraph. It is best to complete your reflection soon after class rather than waiting until Thursday night.
    • Due on Thursdays by 11:59 pm
    • Evaluation: Reflections are graded on completion and demonstration of good-faith effort.
    • Late and Missing Reflections: You may miss one reflection without penalty. Additional late or missed submissions will be accepted only with a valid excuse.
  3. Final Video Reflection: Submit a short (3 to 5 minute) video reflection capturing how this class has been impactful for you. This assignment is designed to be interesting and fun while giving you the change to integrate what you have learnt. 
    • Due on Thursday, March 19 by 11:59 pm on Canvas

REFLECTION VIDEO

Share a breakthrough or pivotal moment—positive or negative—that you experienced through your participation in this class. You may record your video at any time during the quarter, but it must be uploaded to Canvas by the deadline.

You do not need to appear on camera: options include a voice-over, creative visuals, or collaborating with classmates on a group video. The goal is to have fun and tell an authentic story about how the course was transformative for you.

If you prefer not to create a video, please contact me to arrange an alternative written assignment.

Bottom Line for passing the class

  • You can miss 1 class and 1 reflection without any explanation, and you will still pass.
  • If you miss more than 1 class or 1 reflection, you need to contact me.

Note 1: Turning in late submissions causes inconvenience. Please do everything you can to attend every lecture and turn in assignments on time. Thank you!

Note 2: I understand that emergencies happen. If an emergency is preventing you from passing the class, please reach out so I can help you pass.

Inclusion and Accommodations

I value an inclusive classroom environment in which everyone shows respect to each other as persons and scholars. If you need accommodation, work through the Office for Students with Disabilities (https://disabilities.ucsd.edu/) to get an AFA letter. Please note that an AFA letter does not automatically grant you accommodations; you must discuss it with the professor before any are granted in the course.

Copyright Notice

All course material is the intellectual property of the professor. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or transmission— whether in hard copy or digital form—will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and a violation of federal law, including the Copyright Act, and the UC San Diego Student Conduct Code.

Academic Integrity

This course is centered on personal reflection and authentic engagement.

  • Weekly reflections must be your own work and written in your own words.

  • Generative AI tools are not permitted for weekly reflections or journaling.

  • Class discussions and partner exercises may inform your thinking, but written reflections must be individual.

  • The final reflection video may be completed individually or in a group, but the content should reflect genuine experiences from the course.

The core expectation is to engage honestly and complete your own reflective work.

Important Notes

NOTE about your emotions: This class is, in part, about learning how to be open and truthful with yourself and others. Sometimes this openness leads to an upsurge in feeling and expressing strong emotions as we share our stories and/or difficulties. These emotions are extremely valuable as they act as guideposts to help us identify what needs to be examined and it is always worth paying attention to whatever arises. That said, please know that you are never required to share anything in this class, but you should be prepared that others will. And this sharing may bring up your own interesting responses. This is so wonderful because we can support each other in this endeavor, even if you personally don’t always feel like sharing. We all benefit from support during times of struggle. This class helps remind us that we are not alone and we can learn that feeling and expressing our emotions with each other brings solace and is not something to be feared.

NOTE about mental health concerns: Please know that if you have experienced traumatic events or have mental health concerns, a course like this will not fix those issues that require a therapeutic approach. To repeat: This course is not designed to address mental health disorders or acute concerns.

As such, some discussions are never permitted in this course, including details of traumatic events, means of self-harm, and/or an intent to hurt yourself or others. If you want to discuss trauma, ideas of self- and other-harm, or anything else regarding acute mental health concerns, please go to the counseling center (CAPS) on the UCSD campus. If you are thinking about harming yourself or others, please go to Urgent Care at CAPS immediately (they are open from 8AM to 4PM and can be reached at 858-534-3755; if it’s after hours, please call the suicide hotline at 800-273-TALK [8255]).

Don’t resist getting help. There are many resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for what you need (without shame!). It’s a relief to ask for help from these trained professionals. They will care for you!

NOTE about the teachings: All topics taught in this class are simply suggestions for ways to live life openly, whole-heartedly, and in alignment with your own personal integrity, while also mitigating stress, depression, and loneliness. You are free to adopt any, all, or none of these teachings. Part of discovering and living your own personal authenticity is finding and resonating with whatever works best for you as everyone is different and everyone’s path is equally perfect, beautiful, inspiring, and exactly right.

More on LSW @ UC San Diego: https://lsw.ucsd.edu/ 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
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