Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of substance use and addiction focusing on alcohol and 'illicit drugs" as major psychoactive use categories — within a framework of public health. Major topics covered in the course include fundamental concepts in substance use and addiction: historical, economic, political factors influencing substance use and control, epidemiology and patterns of substance abuse in general and special risk populations, substance use related morbidity, mortality and social harms and their impacts on public health: social and environmental determinants of substance use, risks and harms, prevention, treatment and approaches and interventions and policy/control options to reduce substance use related risks and harms in the population.

COURSE DETAILS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines substance use and addiction within the context of public health. Major topics covered in the course include: social determinants of substance use and addiction; varieties of substance use and their associated impacts on public health; economic, political, and global factors influencing the conceptualization and prevalence of addiction; etiological theories of addiction; treatment approaches and interventions to reduce risks and harm; models and policies for prevention and control.


COURSE FORMAT: The course will be taught as a senior undergraduate course combining lecture style teaching with class/seminar based discussions. In addition, class meetings will involve supplementary audio-visual materials and group project work/presentations. The course will include class discussions and interactions based on course content and materials, building on and expecting active and informed student participation. In-depth understanding, critical analysis and integration of key concepts and evidence covered in the course will be facilitated and evaluated through a group project, as well as an individual take-home exams/essays.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
This course intends to provide students with a strong foundational knowledge of key issues related to psychoactive substance use within a public health framework. Specifically, the course aims to define a ‘public health’ framework for psychoactive substance use; illustrate the impact of select forms of psychoactive substance on public health, and their key risk factors and determinants; examine the specific characteristics of these impacts in key risk populations; and critically examine evidence for select interventions with reference to policy and programs.

Following completion of this course, students will be able to:
·      Critically evaluate major theories and conceptualizations of substance use and addiction at the population level
·      Critically examine the role of social determinants related to the prevalence of substance use and  the production of harms
·      Critically examine public health approaches to substance use and addiction in terms of social norms, values, and scientific evidence
·      Articulate and evaluate public health responses to substance use and addiction in a defined context

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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REQUIRED READING: