Join the Greater Good Science Center's education team in exploring how to apply the science of courage in classrooms and schools. 

Learn how courage can bolster our well-being, help us navigate social, emotional, and academic challenges, and embolden us to stand up for our beliefs and values. 

Discover how to create inspiring, hope-filled educational environments with concrete strategies and practices for promoting a values-based sense of courageous resolve—in yourself and your students. 

Course Curriculum

The course is designed for busy education professionals. Each module includes a short video (approximately 5-8 minutes long) that provides brief instruction on one aspect of the science of courage, followed by reflection questions. The remainder of each module focuses on educators’ courage stories and practical applications of courage, providing numerous resources for incorporating courage into classrooms and schools. You can decide which video stories, articles, practices, and resources are most relevant and useful to you.

The course content will roll out over several weeks:

January 25, 2023 

• Module 1: What is courage?
• Module 2: What kinds of courage do I want for myself and others?
• Module 3: Why is courage so valuable right now?

February 8, 2023 

• Module 4: How can I find greater courage as an educator-leader?
• Module 5: How can I inspire courage in my students?

February 22, 2023

• Module 6: When should I be (or not be!) courageous?
• Module 7: How can I draw on courage to navigate ethical dilemmas?

Course Features

• Seven modules, 5-10 hours of learning, depending on engagement with supporting materials
• Videos on the science of courage by Amy L. Eva, Ph.D. Greater Good Science Center’s Associate Education Director
• Video clips featuring education professionals’ courage stories and their reflections on using courage-based practices in classrooms and staff meetings
• Over 25 ready-to-use research-based courage practices for students and the adults who work with them
• Downloadable slides on the science of courage for classroom use or professional development
• Downloadable courage journal for use by education professionals and students of all ages
• Discussion board for sharing courage practices, ideas, and reflections with other educators

Course Outcomes

You will:

• Define courage
• Understand the benefits of courage for yourself and others
• Identify and explore different types of courage (e.g., personal vs. general, academic, and moral)
• Reflect on the role of courage in your personal and professional life
• Learn about resources and practices that foster courage in both students and education professionals
• Evaluate the costs and benefits of morally courageous actions in real-world contexts

Course Logistics

Who Should Take This Course?

• Classroom teachers (preK through higher education), paraeducators, and out-of-school-time providers
• School mental health professionals and counselors
• School, district, and college-level administrators
• Educators interested in character development and empowering students to be their best selves

Course Cost

The Greater Good Science Center is funded entirely by donations and grants—we do not receive any financial support from the University of California, Berkeley. However, we are able to offer many of our GGSC resources for free because we charge for some of our courses. We do our best to make our courses and events affordable for everyone but realize that “affordable” can mean vastly different things depending on individual or geographic circumstances. Therefore, we are offering sliding scale rates for this course. 

We do not ask for income verification; we trust that students will be honest about their financial situation. Please be mindful that if you purchase the course at a lower cost when you can truthfully afford the higher cost, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. It also respects the work we do, and our desire to offer many other free resources to educators. 

Please choose the rate that best matches your financial situation. If you are not sure which price level is appropriate for your circumstances, we’ve provided some guidance below:

$59 (Base Rate):

This cost reflects the true cost of the course, and is what we would charge all students in the absence of a sliding scale. Please pay this rate if you have access to financial security in the form of income or savings or do not stress about meeting your basic needs. Also, consider whether or not your school or organization can provide financial support for you to access the course. 

$29 (Reduced Rate):

This cost reflects our acknowledgment that there are people whose economic circumstances would prevent them from having access to this course if expected to pay the full amount. Please pay this rate if you do not currently have financial security and/or regularly feel stress over meeting your or your family’s basic needs. USE THE CODE “COURAGE” AT CHECKOUT TO APPLY THIS RATE

If the reduced rate is still prohibitive and you need additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at ggsceducation@berkeley.edu. 

If you would like to enroll all of the educators (or a large number of educators) from your school, please reach out to us at ggsceducation@berkeley.edu to discuss additional payment options.

Acknowledgement to Alexis J. Cunningfolk for guidance around sliding scale fee language.

Course Instructors/Facilitators

Amy L. Eva, Ph.D. is the Greater Good Science Center’s Associate Education Director. Read more about Amy.