HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOC-116Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Social Sciences & Public Services
Department of Social Sciences
Departmental Policy Syllabus
SOC-116 Substance Abuse Counseling
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-116-001]
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
SOC-116 SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING is an introduction to the field of substance abuse
counseling, and examines the impact of substance abuse on individuals, families and society. Specific
techniques for counseling the alcoholic and the problem drinker are presented. Additionally this course will
address the etiology of substance abuse, intervention tactics, and primary/relapse prevention strategies
will be discussed. Special attention will be given to substance abuse problems in diverse populations.
3 lectures, 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
C-requisites: None
Social Science Elective
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. analyze the concept of addiction as it relates to
drugs and alcohol, learning to identify
differences between physiological and
psychological addiction.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
2. describe the psychological and physiological
effects of drugs on the human brain, and
thereby on human behavior.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
3. demonstrate the ability to understand and apply
competing perspectives and theories related to
the etiology, context and treatment of addiction,
with specific focus on the disease concept,
social learning systems, and biopsychosocial
model of addiction.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
4. demonstrate familiarity with assessment
instruments and techniques used to diagnose
substance misuse, abuse or dependence.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
5. develop an ability to diagnose and develop
treatment plans for substance abuser.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
6. describe the process of abuse and addiction,
the etiology of addiction and treatment
modalities considered to be effective.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
7. define substance abuse, understand the
explanations for addictions, history,
demographic profile, and current issues and
trends.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
8. develop an awareness of the impact of
substance abuse on individuals, families,
communities and on society as a whole.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
9. state and support their own views on substance
abuse issues addressed in the course, both orally
and in writing, with logical rigor and clarity.
Objective tests, essay questions, oral reports, class
discussions, and writing assignments
Course Content
1. As a general introduction to the substance abuse counseling, students will be introduced to
concepts and application of counseling theory and practice.
2. Students will learn the basics of assessment, diagnosis and treatment models utilized in the
field of substance abuse counseling.
3. The course will focus on substance abuse in individuals, individual families, family systems,
and in the overall society.
4. Various aspects of the profession are explored, including; the etiology of addiction,
physiological and psychological aspects, utilizing theory in a multi-systematic environment,
assessment methods and issues, case management, treatment planning, family therapy, working
with diverse populations and cultures, relapse prevention, reducing the risks of addictive
behaviors and the indicators for further research.
5. This course serves as a foundation to other counseling courses.
6. This course will include an agency report which will entail visits to a treatment facility and a
written report with the guidelines provided. Students are also required to present their findings in
a class presentation. Guidelines for reports and subsequent presentations will be defined by the
individual instructor.
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.
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling
Chapter 2 – The Major Substances of Abuse and the Body
Chapter 3 – Etiological Theories of Substance Abuse
Chapter 4 – Assessment and Diagnosis
Chapter 5 – Treatment Setting and Treatment Planning
Chapter 6 – Individual Treatment
Chapter 7 – Group Treatment in the Continuum of Care
Chapter 8 – Family Treatment
Chapter 9 – Retaining Sobriety: Relapse Prevention Strategies
Chapter10 – Working with Selected Populations: Treatment Issues and Characteristics
Chapter11 – Working with Diverse Cultures: Exploring Sociocultural Influences and Realities in
ATOD Treatment and Prevention
Chapter 12 – Prevention
Chapter 13 – Ethical and Legal Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling
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:
Substance Abuse: Information for School Counselors, Social Workers, Therapists, and Counselors, by
Gary L. Fisher and Thomas C. Harrison, 2nd Edition, Allyn and Bacon, 2000.
Chemical Dependency: A Systems Apporoach, by C. Aaron McNeece and Diana M. DiNitto, Pearson
Publishers, 3rd Edition, 2005.
Substance Abuse, Casebook Series, 1st Edition, by Jerry Johnson & George Grant, JR, Pearson
Education, Inc., 2005. ISBN: 0205389422.
Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s)
All students in the Substance Abuse Counseling 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 counseling issues. Memorization of key
concepts and theories should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learn ing 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 the ir 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 cour se 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 On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind
Service 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
Intro Substance Abuse
Counseling
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory
and Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 1
Week 2
The Major Substances of
Abuse and the Body
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory
and Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 2
Week 3
Etiological Theories of
Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory
and Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 3
Week 4
Continue Etiological
Theories of Substance
Abuse
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 3
Week 5 Assessment and Diagnosis Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 4
Week 6 Test 1 on Chps. 1-4; Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Treatment Setting and
Treatment Planning
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 5
Week 7 Individual Treatment Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter 6
Week 8 Group Treatment and the
Continuum of Care
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory
and Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 7
Week 9 Family Treatment Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 8
Week 10 Retaining Sobriety:
Relapse Prevention
Strategies
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 9
Week 11
Test 2 on Chps. 5-9;
Working with Selected
Populations: Treatment
Issues and Characteristics
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 10
Week 12
Working with Diverse
Cultures: Exploring
Sociocultural Influences
and Realities in ATOD
Treatment and Prevention
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter. 11
Week 13
Prevention Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter 12
Week 14 Continue Prevention Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter 12
Week 15 Ethical and Legal Issues in
Substance Abuse
Counseling
Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and
Practice by Patricia
Stevens & Robert Smith, Pearson
Education Inc., Chapter 13
Week 16 Test 3/Final Exam, Chps.
10-12
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.