HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOC-115Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Social Sciences & Public Services
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Policy Syllabus
SOC-115 Introduction to Substance Abuse
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: March 5, 2009
Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester__x__ Other_________________
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________
(Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________
by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________
An individual classroom syllabus for this course must include as much of the following information as
is applicable:
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and Year:
Course and Section Number: [e.g., SOC-115-001]
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
SOC-115 - presents an introductory systems-oriented approach to addressing alcohol and other drug
problems. Providing an overview of chemical dependency and addiction services, the course examines
causal theories, models, and definitions. In addition, intervention and prevention strategies, as well as
public policy issues will be explored. Special attention will be given to the family systems perspective in
theory, research, and treatment.
3 lectures, 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
C-requisites: None
Social Science Elective
General Education: No
Student Learning Objectives/Means of Assessment
Objectives: Upon successful completion, the
student will be able to:
Means of Assessment: This outcome will be
measured by one or more of the following:
1. define and analyze the epidemiology of
substance use, abuse, and disorders.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
2. determine the etiology of addiction.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
3. explain the basic brain biology of drug abuse
and addiction, as well as the physiological and
behavioral consequences.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
4. explain basic intervention and prevention
strategies including screening, diagnosis,
assessment, and referral.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
5. analyze the implications and the sociocultural
influences of public policy.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
6. display a comprehensive knowledge of the
treatment process and the system of care.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
7. utilize the family systems approach in
understanding theory, research, and treatment
of chemical dependency including co-
dependency and related constructs.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
Course Content
This course is designed for the students to:
1. be introduced to concepts and application of theories, research, and treatment
related to chemical dependency.
2. learn how to define substance abuse, abuse, and related disorders
3. gain an understanding of both epidemiology and etiology of addiction.
4. gain an understanding of addiction as a biopsychosocial process that has individual,
family, and societal consequences.
5. gain an understanding of a full range of intervention, treatment, and prevention
strategies.
6. gain an understanding of the influence of sociocultural consequences of public policy.
7. learn enough material so that this course serves as a foundation to other substance
abuse related courses, as well as social work courses.
Topic headings that are preceded by an asterisk (*) are considered essential topics in this course.
The coverage of additional topics in this class are at the discretion of the individual instructor.
I. THEORIES, MODELS & DEFINITIONS
1. Definitions and Epidemiology of Substance Use, Abuse, and Disorders.
2. The Etiology of Addiction.
3. The Brain Biology of Drug Abuse and Addiction.
4. The Physiological and Behavioral Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
5. Screening, Diagnosis, Assessment, and Referral.
6. Treatment: The System of Care.
7. Preventing Alcohol and Drug Problems.
8. Regulating Drugs and Their Consequences.
9. Treating Substance-Abusing Youth.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS
10. Family Systems and Chemical Dependency.
11. Ethnicity, Culture, and Substance Use Disorders
12. Substance Abuse Treatment with Sexual Minorities.
13. Alcohol and Drug Use Among Elders.
14. Gender and Drugs: Fact, Fiction, and Unanswered Questions.
15. Chemical Dependency: Current Issues and Future Prospects.
Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor]
E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, etc.); the inclusion of
technological literacy and/or information literacy learning in the course; etc.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Valuable Texts for Reference:
Concepts of Chemical Dependency, by Harold Doweicko, Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Introduction to Addictive Behaviors, by Dennis L. Thombs, Guilford Press.
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
All students in the Introduction to Substance Abuse course will be expected to engage in one or more
written assignments. These assignments may be essay questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or
a short written report based on outside readings or activities. Students should be encouraged through
classroom activities to think about, analyze, and use basic sociological concepts in the analysis of
substance abuse issues. Memorization of key concepts and theories should be thought of as the first, not
the final, stage of learning significant course materials.
Grading Policy
In determining a student’s semester grade, a minimum of three, and preferably more, grading
mechanisms should be employed. Multiple choice, matching, fill-in, true/false, and short answer
questions are appropriate. Term projects and research reports may be utilized, as well as essay
questions based on outside readings should be considered. If a web site for the course is developed (this
is encouraged), students may also be evaluated on the basis of their participation in online discussions.
Online exams are acceptable, if they are one of several assessment tools.
Grading System:
Students will be presented with a grading system for the course on the first day of the semester. The
grading system will include, at a minimum, two or three components:
1. A scale for determining grades A-F, such as the following:
a. A = an average of 90 or higher
b. B+ = an average between 87 and 89
c. B = an average between 80 and 86
d. C+ = an average between 77 and 79
e. C = an average between 70 and 76
f. D = an average between 65 and 60
g. F = an average lower than a 65
2. An explanation for the value of course components can include as per the following:
a. 3 tests: each test represents 25% of the final grade for a total of 75%
b. 1 short paper: represents 20% of final grade
c. attendance/participation represents 5% of final grade, or if online,
d. 5 online discussions: each discussion is 20% of final grade for a total of 100%
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each
section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance
will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Sociology Discipline Attendance Policy:
The discipline has agreed to leave attendance policies up to the discretion of each course instructor.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
To be determined by the instructor
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended]
Examples:
Code of Student Conduct.
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty.
ADA statement.
Sexual Harassment statement.
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology.
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended]
List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing Lab
(OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc.
Include a statement on the BCC Library.
Example:
Student and Faculty Support Services
The distance Learning
Office-for any problems
you may have
accessing your online
courses
Room C-334
210-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smartthinking Tutorial
Service
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind
ex.asp
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab
(OWL)
On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students
with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270
www.bergen.edu/oss
The Sidney Silverman
Library
Room L-226 201-447-7436
Include a Course Outline and Calendar
The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements;
A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment.
Due dates for major assignments-e.g., due dates for the paper(s), due dates for the project(s) etc.
Any required special events-e.g., a lecture by a visiting speaker, a dramatic performance etc.
A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar
UNIT # TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Week 1
Definitions and Epidemiology
of Substance Use, Abuse,
and Disorders
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 1
Week 2
The Etiology of Addiction Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 2
Week 3
The Brain Biology of
Drug Abuse and
Addiction.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 3
Week 4
The Physiological and
Behavioral Consequences
of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 4
Week 5 Screening, Diagnosis,
Assessment, and Referral
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 5
Week 6
Treatment: The System of
Care.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 6
Week 7 I
Preventing Alcohol and
Drug Problems
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 7
Week 8 Regulating Drugs and Their
Consequences.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 8
Week 9 Treating Substance-
Abusing Youth
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 9
Week 10 Family Systems and
Chemical Dependency
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 10
Week 11
Ethnicity, Culture, and
Substance Use Disorders
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 11
Week 12
Substance Abuse
Treatment with Sexual
Minorities.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 12
Week 13
Alcohol and Drug Use
Among Elders.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 13
Week 14 Gender and Drugs: Fact,
Fiction, and Unanswered
Questions.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 14
Week 15 Chemical Dependency:
Current Issues and Future
Prospects.
Chemical Dependency: A System
Approach, by C. Aaron McNeece and
Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson Publishers,
Chapter. 15
Week 16
Test 3/Final Exam, Final
Essay papers/Projects
Due, If Assigned
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the
progress of the class.