Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSW 585 Substance Abuse
Credits - 3
Description
The focus of this course is to examine issues associated with substance use and the intersection of multiple individual, family, organizational and societal systems that contribute to risk and resilience. We will explore the impact of social exclusion on the way in which substance use disorders are defined, who receives treatment, at what level, and at what cost. Students will learn to identify, through a person-centered, biopsychosocial lens, the strengths and challenges of those who are impacted by substance use. Students will develop competency and resources to aid in prevention and intervention with individuals, families, organizations and policy makers.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Practice social inclusion to enable people, populations, and communities to fully participate in society, enhance human bonds in the context of cultural diversity and ensure improved quality of life and equitable resource distribution. EPAS Competencies 2 & 3
- Engage in culturally-informed relationship building, being respectful of the complexity and diversity of contexts and circumstances. EPAS Competencies 3 & 6
- Utilize theories of human behavior, social systems and social inclusion when offering interventions with people and their environments. EPAS Competency 8
- Promote ethical reflection, critical consciousness and shared decision-making based in social work values and with consideration of the broader contexts of the world in which we live. EPAS Competency 1
- Balance the roles of helpers, activists, and advocates through collaboration with communities to build healthy and sustainable resources. EPAS Competencies 2, 5, & 6
- Engage as critical consumers and producers of research as it relates to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical and community practices. EPAS Competencies 4, 7, 8 & 9
- Practice person-centered and collaborative community partnerships across diverse settings. EPAS Competency 6
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Have an understanding and awareness of the etiology and epidemiology of substance use disorders. Program Outcome 6
- Have an understanding of the impact of substance use on the family. Program Outcome 2
- Develop an awareness and understanding of the impact of cultural values and ethnicity on substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Program Outcome 4
- Have an understanding of social policies related to substance use and how these are driven by research, public opinion and media. Program Outcome 4
- Familiarize students with various theoretical perspectives on substance use disorders and how these drive the focus of assessment, treatment and recovery. Program Outcome 6
- Develop an understanding of clinical assessment in working with individuals with substance use disorders. Program Outcome 3
- Develop self-awareness and begin to challenge their own myths, biases and misunderstanding about individuals with substance use disorders. Program Outcome 4
Assignments
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
A variety of learning activities are designed to support the course objectives, facilitate different learning styles, and build a community of learners. Learning activities for each module include the following:
Readings and Multimedia:
Description: This course will use an array of readings, podcasts, and videos to present the important concepts in the various modules. The readings and media resources provide the foundation and background for student discussion threads, blogs and wikis, and written assignments.
Discussions:
Description: An important learning method in this course is student participation and interaction in the discussion threads within each module. Students are expected to participate actively and in a respectful manner. Please refer to Course Policies about participation for a full discussion of expectations.
Writing Assignments, Projects and Assessments:
Description: You will complete one major paper and an interview. There be case studies for discussion in addition to content discussions, and a reflection journal about your experience with “an addiction”.
Grading and Feedback Method: Grading and feedback methods are listed with each assignment. Please refer to the Learning Modules for more information. Individual rubrics will be provided in the learning modules. Please refer to each module for further detail on grading for participation, course assignments, and the blog.
Weekly Grading and Feedback: The course facilitator will return assignments and other grading items (discussion boards, participation, etc.) to students within three days of the assignment due date. The course facilitator will provide weekly feedback about participation and performance no later than four days after the learning module closes. Feedback can be via email, within the assignment itself, or using the Feedback column in the gradebook.
Due Dates: Due dates for all learning activities are provided in the “Course Schedule.”
Grading Policy
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Point Value | Percentage of Final Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Final Substance Abuse Paper (Introduction + Final Paper) | 330 points (30 points + 300 points) | 33% |
| Interview Assignment | 200 points | 20% |
| Participation (Completed Weekly) | 320 points (40 pts * 8 modules) | 32% |
| Reflective Journal (Completed in 3 weeks) | 150 points (50 pts * 3 modules) | 15% |
| Total: | 1,000 | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Dates: 08/31/16 – 10/23/16
All assignments are to be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on the dates listed below. Unless otherwise specified, all module discussions and assignments are due the last day of the module or unit.
MODULE 1: Myths, Bias, Reality: Contemporary and Historical Contexts
Dates: 08/31/2016 – 09/06/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text, articles, websites and videos as assigned
- Discussions: Myths, Biases, and Reality Group Discussion; The Role of Media Group Discussion
- Assignment Introductions: Reflection Journal, Substance Abuse Paper, Interview Paper
MODULE 2: Epidemiology and Etiology
Dates: 09/07/2016 – 09/13/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text, articles, websites and videos as assigned
- Discussions: Epidemiology and Etiology; Ethical Dilemma
- Assignments: Reflective Journal; Substance Abuse Paper Assignment – Topics; Interview Assignment
MODULE 3: Screening, Assessment, and Diagnosis
Dates: 09/14/2016 – 09/20/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text and web resources as assigned
- Discussions: Substance Use Disorders Group Discussion; Ethics Group Discussion; Ethical Dilemma Case #1 Discussion
- Assignments: Reflective Journal; Substance Abuse Paper Assignment – Research; Interview Assignment
- Assignment Submission: Substance Abuse Paper – Introduction
MODULE 4: Substance Use Disorder Across the Lifespan
Dates: 09/21/2016 – 09/27/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text chapters, articles and websites; HBO Addictions Series Videos as assigned
- Discussions: Treatment and Recovery (Group); Motivation and Relapse (Group); Ethical Dilemma Case Discussion (Group)
- Assignments: Reflective Journal, Continue working on Substance Abuse Paper
- Assignment Submission: Interview Assignment
MODULE 5: Family Systems: Effects of Substance Use on Family Members
Dates: 09/28/2016 – 10/04/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text chapters, articles and websites; video from SAMHSA
- Discussions: Effects on the Family (Group); Ethical Dilemma Discussion (Group); Ethical Dilemma Case #2 (Whole Class)
- Assignment: Substance Abuse Paper Assignment – Implications
MODULE 6: Considerations for Women and LBGTQ People with SUDs
Dates: 10/05/2016 – 10/11/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text chapters, articles and websites
- Discussions: Gender Bias, Sexism, Homophobia and Heterosexism (Group); Services, Agency and Policy Implications (Group); Ethical Dilemma Case #3 (Whole Class)
- Assignment: Substance Abuse Paper Assignment – Draft
MODULE 7: Considerations for Working with Individuals with Co-Occurring (SA and MH) and Relapse Prevention
Dates: 10/12/2016 – 10/18/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: text, articles and websites as assigned; HBO Addictions Series Video
- Discussions: Integrated Treatment (Small Group); Relapse Discussion (Small Group); Ethical Dilemma Case #4 Discussion (Whole Class)
- Assignment: Final Substance Abuse Paper Submission
MODULE 8: Policy Considerations
Dates: 10/19/2016 – 10/23/2016
- Readings and Multimedia: Text chapters, articles and websites as assigned
- Discussions: Failed War on Drugs (Small Group); SW Activism (Small Group)
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- Video Tutorials: https://library.une.edu/research-help/guides-tutorials/video-tutorials/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Policies
Participation:
Postings to the discussion board must add substantively to the discussion by building upon classmates’ ideas or posing critical questions to further the discussion. For example, a posting of “I agree with what people are saying” is not sufficient. I will be monitoring participation on a weekly basis and welcome people to check in with me if they have questions regarding their participation. Keep in mind that weekly postings make up a significant percentage of the final grade. All postings must be respectful. If at any time you are concerned with a posting, please notify me immediately. Please note that I encourage people to work in small groups to reflect and respond to the discussion questions. This is why many of the discussions in your learning modules indicate that they are small group discussions. You will sign up in the beginning of the course (with the sign-up sheet present under “ Learning Modules”) to select a small group. This will be the group you work in throughout the course – where small group discussion occurs. Each week you will receive up to 30 points for participation. Please refer to the Participation Rubric to see how your weekly participation will be evaluated.
The majority of your discussions require a certain quantity of posts, but this is a minimum amount. Unless otherwise noted, you should post quality responses of no more than two or three paragraphs in length of the indicated quantity in any preferred combination related to the questions. The recommended method is that you carefully read the existing posts and then think about how to build off the existing ideas by offering additional insights, alternative perspectives, or raising critical questions. As part of this process, be sure to refer back to the original discussion question in order to keep the thread focused on the required topic and address the indicated question(s).
All posts to the discussion boards should be completed by 11:59 p.m. E.S.T. of the last day of the module as indicated in the “Course Schedule.” Any discussions that extend beyond that date and time will not be considered a part of the grade and/or assignment, but rather optional reading. Even though you technically have until the last day of the module to post, your participation points will suffer if you do not post initially by Saturday as this negatively impacts your classmates’ ability to respond to your posts and your ability to respond to their posts. Posts that no longer relate to the identified topic should be moved to one of the on-going discussion boards such as “Ask Your Instructor,” “Hallway Discussions,” or “Resources.”
Late Policy:
10% will be deducted from assignments for each day they are late IF the instructor has not approved an extension in advance of the due date.
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.