Psychology 3315E 001

Addictions: Theory and Research

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

 

WESTERN UNIVERSITY

LONDON               CANADA

Department of Psychology

2022 - 2023

 

Psychology 3315E    Section 001

Addictions: Theory and Research

 

 

  • CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

 

This course introduces students to major topics in the prevention and treatment of various forms of addictive behavior. The course also involves a structured community service learning component in which students will help addictions-related organizations meet their identified needs. This work will not necessarily involve direct client contact.

 

Antirequisites: Not Applicable

 

Prerequisites: Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year in any program. Registration is by special permission only and must be obtained from the course instructor in the Spring/Summer before the course begins in the Fall term.

 

2 seminar hours, 3 placement hours. (This course has a service learning component.)

 

Course Weight: 1.0

 

Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

 

2.0  COURSE INFORMATION

 

Instructor:  Dr. Riley Hinson   

Office and Phone Number:  6334 SSC, 519-661-2111 ext 84649   

Office Hours:  By appointment

Email:  hinson@uwo.ca    

 

Time and Location of Classes:  Tuesdays, 2:30-4:30 KB K203

Delivery Method:  In-person

      

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness @Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

 

 

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also contact Accessible Education at aew@uwo.ca  or 519-661-2147.

 

3.0  TEXTBOOK

 

No required textbook

 

4.0  COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

The purpose of the course is to provide students exposure to both the scholarly literature and research related to many aspects of addiction.  From the placement, students are expected to gain experience as to how some of the ideas and concepts discussed in lecture unfold in settings providing addiction related services. 

 

By the end of the course the successful student should be able to:

  • Memorize, describe and apply main concepts and principles related to drug use and addiction
  • Locate and critically evaluate scholarly material related to real world challenges faced by those with drug use problems and those providing help to such individuals
  • Communicate scientific information in oral and written forms that are accessible to those involved real world delivery of addiction services and treatment
  • Critique information presented in scientific and popular media related to drug use and drug addiction
  • Manage and deliver a project that is of value to a community organization involved in providing services to those with drug addiction, which would involve conceptualization, planning, coordination of efforts, time management
  • Engage in reflection about drug users and those who are engaged in helping them to experience personal growth and to be able to more accurately inform others about drug addiction
  • Recognize and develop own sense of commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility

 

Learning Outcome

 

Learning Activities

How

Assessed 

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Depth & Breadth of Knowledge

Memorize (M), describe (D) and apply (A) main concepts and principles  related to drug use and addiction

 

Reading

Class discussion

Guest lectures

Community project  

 

Oral Presentations of current news

Contribution to Class Discussion (DA)

Final Report (DA)

Final Presentation (DA) 

Abilities

2. Knowledge and Application of Methodologies

Locate and critically evaluate scholarly material related to real world challenges faced by those with drug use problems and those providing help to such individuals

Community project

Classroom activity

Oral/written reports

Final Report

Contribution to class activity

Final class oral presentation

3. Communication Skills

Communicate scientific information in oral and written forms that are accessible to those involved in real world settings.

Community project

Classroom activity

As assessed by setting supervisor

Contribution to class activity

Final Report

 Final class oral presentation

4. Autonomy and Professional Capacity

Manage and deliver a project that is of value to a community organization

Community project

As assessed by setting supervisor (in consultation with course instructor) 

 

Attributes

 

5. Awareness of Limits of Knowledge

Engage in reflection about what you have experienced in the community settings

Community project

CEL logs

Class presentation on reflection

Class discussion

Instructor evaluation of CEL logs

Contribution to class discussions

Final report and presentation

As assessed by setting supervisor, in consultation with instructor.

6. Autonomy and Professional Capacity

Recognize and develop own sense of commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

Community project

Field  trips

 

Class discussions  

Instructor evaluation of CEL logs.

Final report and presentation  

Post course reflection session

 

 

 

 

5.0  EVALUATION

The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in section 4.0 and are considered necessary for meeting these learning objectives.

 

Topic Paper and In-Class Presentation  30 marks

       Each student will write a paper and make an in-class PP presentation on a topic of their choosing in consultation with the course instructor.  The topic may be related to an aspect of substance use/behaviour disorders.  Examples from previous years are:

  • Psychedelic assisted therapy for SUD’s
  • The role of spirituality in SUD’s
  • The Default Mode Network in SUD’s
  • Stigma related to people with SUD’s

You should choose a topic which is of interest to you, and I will Zoom meet to discuss the appropriateness of the topic. There is no require length for the paper, but it would have to be comprehensive in coverage.  Papers has ranged from 10-20 pages, with most topics requiring the higher number of pages.  You will make a 50 minute in-class PP presentation based on your paper.  Based on the topics chosen I will make up a schedule for due dates and PP presentation dates.  I will try to sequence the topics in a logical order, e.g., papers on processes involved in development of SUD’s will go before papers on treatment.  In total, this component will be worth 30 marks.  Since some may do better with the written component compared to the oral presentation, and vice versa, 18 of the marks will go to whichever component you do the best on and 12 to the other component. 

 

Community Partner Project  35 marks

       Working with at least one other student, students will complete a project for their community partner.  The graded work will include a paper and an in-class PP presentation near the end of the term. 

The write up of the project:  There is no specific format since it will vary by project, but it should use APA formatting (where appropriate) and should comprise a scholarly review component and a write up of the project. I will meet with each group during the second term to discuss the format of this written presentation—e.g., will it be like a review paper only, or a journal article, or some other format.  Note that this will be a group-based graded component, so each group will have to decide how the responsibilities will be assigned.  While no specific number of pages is required write-ups in the past have been between 20-40 pages (excluding references).  You will make a brief (about 30 minutes) PP presentation of the project in class.  The written component will be worth 25 marks and the PP presentation will be worth 10 marks.

 

Almost all the community partner projects will involve components that may be considered “research” or “pedagogical projects” according to TCPS II definitions.  Accordingly you will be REQUIRED to complete the TCPS II Core Tutorial.  You will have to send me a copy of your completion certificate.  Here is the web site

https://tcps2core.ca/welcome

 

Community Partner Evaluation of Student Engagement  15 marks

            Community partners will give you points to a maximum of 15 based on their evaluation of involvement in the organization, participation, handling of any responsibilities, and conduct of project

 

Attendance and Participation in Classes, Outings, and Field Trips  10 marks

While there are no tests for this course, you are expected to attend all classes.  We will have guest speakers.  Attendance will be taken and will be used for grading purposes.  Attendance during sessions with guest speakers will be weighted more in terms of attendance marks.  In addition, and to the extent possible, we will try to go on several field trips and visits to sites in the community.  These visits almost always occurs outside of class time.  It is expected that students will attend as many of these events as possible.  Attendance at these events will count as bonus marks.  This component is worth 10 marks

 

End of year reflection  10 marks

            One of the purposes of CEL courses is to encourage the student to reflect on what they have learned about others and themselves as a result of the community engagement.  This may be very distinct from any academic knowledge they have gained.  I hope you will keep a journal or diary throughout the year about any revelations you may gain during your placement in the community organizations.  At the end of the year you will be asked to think back over the year and share these insights.  That may be done as a written paper, a collage of images, an art piece, a video, a poem, a novel, or whatever form you feel best allows you to express yourself.  We may try to have a class devoted to this in a type of focus group discussion.  This is worth 10 marks.

 

 

5.1 POLICY ON MISSING COURSEWORK

 

The Topic Paper and PP presentation, and the Community Partner Project paper and PP presentation, have to be submitted, otherwise a grade of zero will be given on these components.  If either is not submitted by the scheduled due date, an extension will be given, but a penalty of 10% of the value of the component will be subtracted for each 48 hour period, or any part thereof, the component is late.

PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations, you must pass the essay component to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.

 

This course is exempt from the Senate requirement that students receive assessment of their work accounting for at least 15% of their final grade at least three full days before the date of the deadline for withdrawal from a course without academic penalty.

 

 

The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:

 

70%     1000-level to 2099-level courses

72%     2100-2999-level courses

75%     3000-level courses

80%     4000-level courses

 

The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines, which are as follows (see: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf)

 

A+       90-100             One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level

A         80-89               Superior work that is clearly above average

B         70-79               Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory

C         60-69               Competent work, meeting requirements

D         50-59               Fair work, minimally acceptable

F          below 50         Fail

 

Note that in the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.

 

Policy on Grade Rounding: Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered. To maximize your grade, do your best on each and every assessment within the course.

 

6.0  ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE

 

Topic Paper and PP presentation

30%

Community Partner Project

35%

Community Partner Evaluation

15%

Attendance and Participation

10%

End of Year Reflection

10%

 

 

 

 

7.0  CLASS SCHEDULE

The class schedule topics should be considered tentative and are subject to change.  I try to have guest speakers for some classes, and any class may be replaced by a guest speaker.  Also remember that each student will be making an in-class presentation based on their topic paper.  The date of those presentations will be in consultation with each student.

 

Sept 13            Introduction to Class

Sept 20            Community Partner Fair and Selection

Sept 27            Professional issues and ethics in CEL courses

 

Oct     4           Overview of Drugs

Oct    11          History of Drug Use

Oct    18          History of the conceptualization of addiction and treatment

Oct    25          Addiction in DSM

Nov    8           The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

Nov    15         The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

Nov    22         The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

Nov    29         The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

Dec      6          The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

Jan     10          The Biopsychosocialspiritual model of addiction

 

Jan     17          Start of In-class Topic Paper presentations

Jan     24          In class presentation of topic paper

Jan     31         In class presentation of topic paper

Feb       7         In class presentation of topic paper

Feb     14         In class presentation of topic paper

Feb     28         In class presentation of topic paper

Mar      7         In class presentation of topic paper

Mar     14        In class presentation of topic paper

 

Mar     21        Start of Community Partner Project presentations

Mar     28        Community Partner Project presentations

Apr       5         Community Partner Project presentations

 

 

8.0  Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.

 

With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation, as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.

 

9.0  STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

 

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

 

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).

 

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

 

In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.

 

Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.

 

10.0     POLICY ON THE USE OF EXAM PROCTORING SOFTWARE

 

If a remote proctoring service is used, the service will require you to provide personal information (including some biometric data). The session will be recorded. In the event that in-person exams are unexpectedly canceled, you may only be given notice of the use of a proctoring service a short time in advance. More information about remote proctoring is available in the Online Proctoring Guidelines. Please ensure you are familiar with any proctoring service’s technical requirements before the exam. Additional guidance is available at the following link: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/onlineproctorguidelines.pdf

 

* Please note that Zoom servers are located outside Canada. If you would prefer to use only your first name or a nickname to login to Zoom, please provide this information to the instructor in advance of the test or examination. See this link for technical requirements: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us  

 

11.0     POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES

 

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
https://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
  2. For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation.

 

https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html

 

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence

 

Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.

 

12.0     Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown: IN-Person & Blended classes

 

In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence or any other event that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online, as determined by the course instructor.

 

13.0     STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE

 

In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:

  • please “arrive” to class on time
  • please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
  • please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
  • to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
  • In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
  • In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
  • Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting

 

The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:

  • If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
  • Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
  • Self-identify when speaking.
  • Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).

 

General considerations of “netiquette”:

  • Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
  • Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
  • Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
  • Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.

 

Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.

 

14.0     OTHER INFORMATION

 

Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.uwo.ca 

 

Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca

 

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site/Current Student Information for information on the following:

 

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct

- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations

- Policy on Attendance

- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines

- Policy for Assignments

- Short Absences

- Extended Absences

- Documentation

- Academic Concerns

- Calendar References

 

If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf

Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).

 

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.

 

Policy on the Recording of Synchronous Sessions: Some or all of the remote learning sessions for this course (if scheduled) may be recorded. The data captured during these recordings may include your image, voice recordings, chat logs and personal identifiers (name displayed on the screen). The recordings will be used for educational purposes related to this course, including evaluations. The recordings may be disclosed to other individuals participating in the course for their private or group study purposes. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns related to session recordings. Participants in this course are not permitted to privately record the sessions, except where recording is an approved accommodation, or the student has the prior written permission of the instructor.