Revised 1/19/2017
HSSP 115b Syllabus
Perspectives on Behavioral Health: Alcohol, Drugs, and Mental Health
Block N – Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00-3:20 pm
Heller School, Classroom G4
2
HSSP 115b Spring 2017
Revised 1/19/2017
INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Reif, Ph.D.
, Heller-Brown 259, 781-736-3924
COURSE ASSISTANT: Wanda Rifkin, , 781-736-3769
TEACHING ASSISTANT: Jennifer Miles, M.A., , Heller-Brown 265
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30, Fridays 10:00-11:00, or by appointment (Ms. Miles, room 265)
Mondays 3:30 - 4:30 pm or by appointment (Dr. Reif, room 259)
COURSE OVERVIEW
This is a broad course on behavioral health, with a primary focus on substance use and mental disorders in the United States. The course will include several focus areas:
· Overview, including understanding the disorders themselves, history, theoretical perspectives and science (Sessions 2-7)
· Societal impacts, with a consideration of overall prevalence, specific populations, consequences and effects of substance use and mental disorders (Sessions 8-11)
· Prevention, treatment and recovery (Sessions 12-18, 20)
· Policy issues and approaches (Sessions 19, 21-24).
We will have several guest lecturers including representatives from organizations for people with mental and substance use disorders. Several classes are devoted to participatory debate and focused discussion of specified topics.
Learning objectives for this course include knowledge and core skill development. It is expected at the end of this course you will have:
· An in-depth understanding of the complexity of mental health, substance use, and mental and substance use disorders.
· Ability to think critically about policy issues relevant for people with substance use and mental disorders.
· Research and writing skills sufficient to identify a topic and prepare a research paper and give a very brief presentation on your findings.
Course requirements, detailed below, include readings and class participation, in-class quizzes and short essays, brief “thoughts and questions” (T&Qs), and a research paper (submitted in several sections).
Success in this 4-credit course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class (readings, T&Qs, papers, preparation for in-class quizzes and essays, research, and so on).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
10% Attendance
· Please do not come to class if sick. I allow several missed days of class for full attendance.
· If you have excused absences due to athletics or other obligations, I must have a formal letter from your coach (or equivalent) indicating your participation and dates that will be missed.
25% Active participation
· Be generally engaged in all classes and prepared to share your comments or questions about readings assigned for that day. I will often start class by calling on several students.
· Actively participate in several classes devoted to policy debate or other discussion.
· Briefly discuss your research paper.
· Complete at least 5 “Thoughts and Questions,” (“T&Qs”) – 1 for each group (column) below.
o Submitted on LATTE by 5pm the day before the class date that is listed in the table below.
o Briefly write about something you found interesting, controversial, or confusing about the readings for this class.
o These are intended to be brief. Although not graded, please write in full sentences for clarity.
o We will review the T&Qs before class and select a few to use for discussion or comment in class. You will not be identified when we do this.
T&Q 1Intro to MH/SUD / T&Q 2
Epidemiology, Consequences / T&Q 3
Legal, Tobacco/ nicotine, Financing / T&Q 4
Prevention, Treatment, Policy / T&Q 5
NAMI, AA
Jan 24 / Feb 9 / Feb 16 / Mar 2 / Mar 7
Jan 26 / Feb 14 / Mar 30 / Mar 14 / Mar 21
Apr 6 / April 20
10% Quizzes (2 in-class quizzes, 5% of class grade each)
o 15-20 minutes each. May include multiple choice, true/false, and/or short answer questions.
o No make-ups.
15% Short essays (2 in-class essays, 7.5% of class grade each)
o 30 minutes each.
o No make-ups.
40% Research paper
· In-depth discussion of an area touched on in the course: choose a special population, another system (such as education or criminal justice) or a current policy, and prepare a detailed paper on that topic. Sample titles and papers will be distributed in class.
The paper will be graded in parts, as follows, with a full final paper due at the end of the semester. Each part will be graded and returned to you. You should revise those sections when you include them in the full paper. The full paper must include an introduction and conclusion.
o Summary of your topic (2-3 sentences) and formal 1-2 page outline. For the outline, you should indicate the subtopics that you plan to cover for the paper. This is not a graded part of the assignment, but you may not start your paper until I have approved your topic. Due February 9, required but not graded
o Part 1: Background. This should cover “what is it” for your topic. Describe the disorder, population, system, policy or problem to solve. Discuss history or theories as appropriate. You do not need the full paper introduction in this section. Include appropriate citations in-text and a bibliography. Due March 9, ~4-6 pages, 10% of class grade
o Part 2: Prevention, Treatment and/or Policy. This should cover the “what to do about it” for your topic. You do not need to include the full paper conclusion in this section. Include appropriate citations in-text and a bibliography. Due March 30, ~4-6 pages, 10% of class grade
o Final Paper: The final paper must be complete, including an introduction, parts 1 and 2, a conclusion, and a bibliography. Be sure the sections flow together. Use headings and sub-headings for clarity. Due May 2, 10-15 pages, 20% of class grade; short papers will result in a lower grade.
· Details
o Formatting: double spacing, 11 pt font, 1 inch margins.
o Citations: 10-15 references. Most references should be from academic journals or books. Websites may be used if from reliable sources (e.g., government sites, professional or advocacy organizations). If unclear about a source, please ask us or a librarian for guidance.
o Citations within the text should use APA style with the full citation in the bibliography at the end. The bibliography does not count toward the page limits.
o Citations for journal articles must include the journal title, volume and page numbers. Citations that are only a search link (e.g., Google Scholar, ScienceDirect) are incomplete.
o I recommend you use Turn-It-In to review your paper prior to submission, to evaluate for and address potential plagiarism. We will do the same.
o All assignments should be submitted via LATTE. If you are unsure if it was posted, you may also email it to me.
· A well-written paper is expected. Your final grade will reflect the quality of writing.
· Late assignments will result in a lower grade.
KEY DATES:
In-class quizzes and essays may not be made up. Please plan your vacation travel accordingly. If you are excused due to sports or other activities, you must see me prior to missing any assignments. Late paper assignments will result in a lower grade.
Quiz #1 / Feb 2Quiz #2 / Mar 23
Essay #1 / Feb 28
Essay #2 / Apr 27
Paper topic and outline / Feb 9, 5pm
Paper – Part 1 / Mar 9, 5pm
Paper – Part 2 / Mar 30, 5pm
Final paper / May 2, 11:55pm
In-class brief discussion of paper / Apr 27, May 2
I may make use of finals week for presentations on your papers – this will be determined by the February break. Please plan your end-of-semester travel accordingly.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
· Cell phones off and away.
· Laptops permitted during lecture portions of class, for note-taking only. Please be respectful of the presenters and your fellow classmates.
· No laptops to be used during class discussion time.
· Please do not attend class if you are ill.
· Come to class prepared and on time.
· Class is participatory; please be aware you may be called upon.
DISABILITY STATUS
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me as soon as possible.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity is central to the mission of educational excellence at Brandeis University. You are expected to be honest in all of your academic work. Please consult Brandeis University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and procedures related to academic integrity. Students may be required to submit work to TurnItIn.com software to verify originality and I may do the same. Allegations of academic dishonesty will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity. Sanctions for academic dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university.
Citation and research assistance can be found at https://lts.brandeis.edu/research/help/ or by talking with a librarian at Goldfarb Library. Each student is expected to turn in work that he or she completed independently, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you are in doubt about the instructions for any assignment it is your responsibility to ask for clarification.
Plagiarism: It is unacceptable to use information from other sources without proper citation, whether those sources are published or unpublished (e.g., web sites). Assignments that appear to be instances of plagiarism may be returned to the student for revision, considered incomplete, or reported to the university, at the discretion of the instructor. Such behavior will also be considered a serious deficiency in grading pertaining to the particular assignment.
If you are unsure about what constitutes plagiarism it is your responsibility to ask for clarification.
LTS has resources to help you understand what constitutes academic integrity and plagiarism: http://lts.brandeis.edu/courses/instruction/academic-integrity/index.html.
OTHER RESOURCES
Writing assistance: The University provides writing assistance if you need help with this component of
assignments: http://www.brandeis.edu/programs/writing/writingcenter/. I strongly encourage you to use this resource since clarity and organization of writing will affect grading. All written materials – at any point in your education or career – will be better for having another reader.
Counseling services: This course discusses mental health and substance use issues that may affect anyone.
· Brandeis provides counseling services through the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC): 781-736-3730 (Mon-Fri, 9-5), http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/index.html
· For emergency consultations after hours, call 781-736-3785 to reach BCC’s 24-hour answering service
· Alternatively, the BCC recommends the Crisis Text Line as a culturally sensitive emergency resource: text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or call or text the Good Samaritans: 877-870-4673
· For emergencies, contact BEMCO (6-3333) on-campus or 911 off-campus
COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS - OVERVIEW
· Readings are to be completed before class on that date.
· Check for page numbers – some readings are sub-sections of the chapter or document. If no page number, read the whole chapter.
· All materials other than the 2 texts listed below are available via LATTE.
· LATTE will always be the most up to date regarding class assignments. Please use LATTE to determine your work for each class. The readings below are current as of this date, but may be updated over the semester.
TEXTS
Abadinsky H. Drug Use and Abuse: A Comprehensive Introduction, 8th Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth CENGAGE Learning, 2012.
· The 8th edition is preferred for more updated information, but the 7th edition may be used. Please see list of Abadinsky readings on LATTE for 7th edition readings.
· A copy of the 7th edition is on reserve at the library.
Mechanic D, McAlpine DD, Rochefort DA. Mental Health and Social Policy: Beyond Managed Care, 6th Edition. Boston: Pearson, 2014.
· Do not use earlier editions.
· A copy of the 6th edition is on reserve at the library.
Multiple sections are assigned from Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. You may want to download the full pdf for reference. https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov
Specific chapter links are provided with each reading.
COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS – DETAILS
1. Tuesday, January 17: Introduction to course
· No readings
2. Thursday, January 19: Introduction to behavioral health: Symptoms, disorders, biopsychosocial model
· HealthyPeople.gov 2010. Determinants of Health. (LATTE) http://www.healthypeople.gov/2010/document/pdf/uih/2010uih.pdf, pp.18-20
· HealthyPeople.gov 2020. Social Determinants of Health. (LATTE) https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
· Mechanic, Ch 1: Defining mental illness, pp.1-4
· Mechanic, Ch 2: What are mental health and mental illness? (full chapter)
· Abadinsky, Ch 1: An introduction to drug use and abuse pp.1-8
· Mechanic, Ch 6: Illness behavior and selection into care, pp.145-153
3. Tuesday, January 24: Introduction to substance use disorders
· Abadinsky, Ch 3: Depressants, pp.39-49 (heroin/opiates), pp.55-63 (alcohol)
· Abadinsky, Ch 4: Stimulants, pp.69-80 (cocaine)
· Abadinsky, Ch 5: Hallucinogens, marijuana, inhalants, prescription drugs, pp.110-114 (marijuana), pp.116-121 (prescription drugs)
· Abadinsky, Ch 6: section on stages of use, pp.137-140
4. Thursday, January 26: Introduction to mental health
*** Introduction to the Library/LTS***
· Sharma, Ch 6: Understanding Mood, Anxiety, and Personality Disorders, pp.107-121 (LATTE)
· National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH). Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-you-need-to-know/index.shtml
· National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH). Schizophrenia. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia-booklet/index.shtml
5. Tuesday, January 31: Policy debate: Drinking age
***Class participation – instructions to be provided on LATTE***
· Babor Alcohol, Ch 9: Regulating the physical availability of alcohol, pp.139-141 (LATTE)
· Keeping legal drinking age at 21 saves 900 lives yearly: Study. Huffington Post. 24 Feb 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/24/legal-drinking-age-21-saves-lives_n_4847191.html
· Fact sheet: Age 21 minimum legal drinking age. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 24 Mar 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mlda.htm