Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - HSCI 402 D100

Substance Use, Addiction and Public Health (3)

Class Number: 6300

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 18, 2020
    Fri, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    HSCI 214.

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

The addictions field is fraught with controversies and not always informed by scientific evidence. This course examines substance use and related problems in the context of public health, with a focus on critical analysis of in/consistencies between policy initiatives, empirical research and practice. Major topics addressed in the course include: conflicting views of the nature & etiology of problematic substance use; social determinants and epidemiology of substance use, addiction & related harms; methods in addictions research; drug policy and public health; addiction treatment and harm reduction initiatives; enforcement and legal responses to illicit drugs & to people who use substances. A variety of materials (and guest lectures - if possible - given the current context) will be used to examine Vancouver as a case study for many of these topics.

Course Format

The course will cover the full 13 weeks of the semester. The majority of lectures will be pre-recorded (i.e., asynchronous teaching) in relatively short segments, (each addressing specific sections of an entire lecture for the week), with three hours of scheduled lecture time (Thursdays, 14:30 to 17:20) used for a combination of office hours, discussion, student presentations and guest speakers (if the latter can be arranged on-line). Further details will be provided in Week #1 of class.

Announcements, lectures, readings, course materials & links, assignments and quizzes will be posted to Canvas.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives

Following completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate major theories and conceptualizations of substance use and related problems within a public health framework
  • Explain the mechanisms through which substance use impacts overall public health
  • Critically examine the role of social determinants related to the prevalence and distribution of substance use, addiction & related harms (with a focus on specific populations and select high-risk groups)
  • Assess the alignment between a) scientific evidence addressing addiction treatment and select interventions aimed at reducing risks & harms, and b) existing health/drug/public policy and public health outcomes
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research methods, study design and bias in addiction research and critically review strengths & limitations of select studies relevant to the course.

Grading

  • Individual assignment (to be confirmed) 20%
  • Group project/presentation (to be confirmed) 20%
  • Knowledge quiz #1 10%
  • Knowledge quiz #2 10%
  • Self evaluation/reflections 10%
  • Take home final exam (to be confirmed) 30%

NOTES:

Students will be graded on their writing; critical analysis; and commitment to the use of empirical evidence in their work.

REQUIREMENTS:

A computer with access to the internet sufficient to participate in Zoom video conversations and to use Canvas.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READINGS:

There is no required textbook for the course.
All readings (or relevant links) will be posted to Canvas, or are available online via the SFU library. We will use a collection of peer-reviewed articles, text chapters, and various audio-visual materials.


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).