This course focuses on the problem of happiness in several ways: as one of the underlying forces of human existence; as a philosophical problem; and as a recurrent theme in literature, aesthetics, and cultural and social media. The aim of the seminar is to provide firm grounding in key notions associated with happiness (e.g. eudaemonia, hedonism, joy, felicity, exultation, optimism, contentment, etc) ,and as manifested in major movements and ideological frameworks (e.g., the religions of poverty, utilitarianism, positivism, theories of welfare, utopian socialism, Marxism and the industry of pleasure); authors (e.g. Epicurus, Aristotle, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Weil and later writers). We proceed by respecting historical succession while taking on carefully curated case studies. The course is open to graduate students of all levels and disciplines and to qualified seniors. Pessimists, melancholics and agnostics are also welcome.