PYB159 Alcohol and Other Drug Studies

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Drug and alcohol use and abuse is of growing concern in the community. This unit introduces you to theories of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems from a range of diverse perspectives. You will be exposed to multidisciplinary learning where you can identify career pathways while considering the field in relation to ethics, values and a range of population targets.  This unit provides a useful foundation for PYB360, Interventions for Addictive Behaviours. You will participate in discussions and assessment pieces designed in conjunction with industry professionals, to embed learning with current real world issues.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the prevailing theories and models of prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug problems.
2. Evaluate the process of change and the key components of effective treatment and prevention programs.
3. Compare the treatment options available to individuals seeking treatment for alcohol and other drug problems, and be able to outline the costs and benefits of each form of treatment.
4. Identify issues impacting on effective treatment and prevention programs such as dual diagnosis.
5. Explain and evaluate theories and models of prevention and harm minimisation to target drug or alcohol use towards a target population.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit includes weekly lectures. These lectures include a formal lecture and active components, such as class discussions around key issues or case studies. All necessary materials will be uploaded to the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback in this unit through formative and summative feedback. General formative feedback will also be provided in the lecture, particularly through the active components. Summative feedback will be provided through the assessment tasks detailed below.

Assessment

Overview

An important aspect of this unit is critically evaluating theories of prevention and treatment of drug use. The written assignment is designed to assess this component of the unit. In order to complete this successfully, you will need to engage with digital technology to research, write and format your assignment. You are required to submit all written assignments electronically for content matching checks.  As this is an internally offered unit, final examinations are expected to be undertaken in-person on QUT Brisbane campuses.

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that individual markers have applied criteria and standards consistently and fairly. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid-Semester Quiz

This online quiz will test your understanding and knowledge of the first part of the semester.

Assessment: Report

From the perspective of a drug and alcohol professional, you will explore a contemporary issue, in order to provide recommendations in a report to your employer. You will describe relevant theories, models, or policy, as relevant to the topic, and conduct analysis or commentary of the issue, which may include treatment, prevention, and/or harm minimisation. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Final Examination

A range of multiple choice and case-based questions will assess the understanding and the knowledge of the unit content.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions and, if appropriate, advise teaching staff if you do not wish to participate. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY45 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

1. Describe and evaluate the core scientific perspectives of psychology with reference to theories, methods and research, from diverse perspectives, including first-nations perspectives.
   Relates to: Report, Final Examination
2. Critically examine the scientific discipline of psychological research and theories using oral, written and digital communication to address psychological issues in a respectful, ethical and professional manner.
   Relates to: Report, Final Examination
3. Implement a range of digital capabilities to access, examine and utilise evidence-based information in the context of effectively responding to, and communicating, real world problems.
   Relates to: Report