This year’s book is The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World, by Eric Weiner. All events are open to the public, and all are free except the author’s address at 8 p.m. Dec. 1. The book project is sponsored by the Office of Campus Community Relations.

PROGRAMS

Nov. 3 — Gendering The Geography of Bliss. 12:10-1:30 p.m., 126 Voorhies Hall. With four presenters:

• Peg Swain, associate adjunct professor, Women and Gender Studies Program; director, Gender and Global Issues; and student affairs officer, Women’s Resources and Research Center.

• Laura Grindstaff, associate professor, Department of Sociology.

• Jee-Eun Song, doctoral candidate, Cultural Studies Program.

• Valerie Vaughn, graduate student and teaching assistant, Department of Geography.

Nov. 4 — When Is Happy Enough? How Authenticity and Meaning Foster a Life Worth Living. Mitchel Adler of MindBody Intelligence Consulting. 12:10-1 p.m., Fielder Room, Memorial Union.

Nov. 9 — The Social Nature of Personal Well-Being. Rand Conger, Distinguished Professor, departments of Human and Community Development, and Psychology. 12:10-1:30 p.m., Heitman Staff Learning Center (formerly the Hog Barn).

Nov. 12 — If You Can’t Find Happiness Right Where You Are, Where Else Do You Expect to Find It? The Geography of Bliss and the Ascending Relocalization Movement. Robert Thayer, professor emeritus, Landscape Architecture Program, Department of Environmental Design. 12:10-1:30 p.m., Garrison Room, MU.

ART

Through Nov. 1 — Education Abroad Center Photo Essay Contest. More information: eac.ucdavis.edu/eac/photocontest09.cfm.

EXHIBITS

Through Dec. 4 — Designing Places for Happiness: An Exhibit of Student and Faculty Work from the Landscape Architecture Program. Art Lounge, MU.

Fall quarter — On The Geography of Bliss, a bibliography of suggested readings. Lobby, Shields Library.

AUTHOR’S VISIT

Dec. 1 — Why Are Republicans So Happy? (and Other Tales from the Science of Happiness). Forum@MC panel discussion with Eric Weiner, author, The Geography of Bliss; psychology professor Robert Emmons (whose books include The Psychology of Gratitude and the forthcoming THANKS!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier) and other faculty. 4-5 p.m., Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

Dec. 1 — Author’s talk: The Geography of Bliss. 8-9:30 p.m., Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center. Followed by book signing. Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or mondaviarts.org.

The bookstore is selling the book at the discounted price of $9.95.

More information, including the complete schedule: occr.ucdavis.edu/ccbp2009