Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology
HomeCurrent studentsUndergraduate Modules2019-20Sociologymodule

module

Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2086: Addiction

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  1. Models of addiction (neurobiological, psycho-social, social constructionist, ‘myth’)
  2. Comparing cultures: Historical and anthropological perspectives on drug use
  3. Addiction in the media
  4. The social science of drug use I: Cannabis
  5. The social science of drug use II: Opiates/heroin
  6. Alcohol abuse
  7. Smoking
  8. Lifestyle addictions (e.g. sex, gambling, internet use, food, exercise)
  9. Treatment and counselling
  10. Addiction policy and public health (e.g. harm reduction, legalization)
  11. Ethics and methods in addiction research

Example seminar debates

  1. Definitions: Is sex addiction really an ‘addiction’?
  2. Models: Is addiction a matter of ‘choice’ or ‘heredity’?
  3. Media: Does the media have a moral responsibility in how it portrays drug use?
  4. Treatment: Should addicts be given free needles or replacement substances (methadone)?
  5. Policy: Would legalization of illegal drugs cut crime rates?

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
442560

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2222 x 1 hour lectures delivering the academic framework of the course
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2222 x 1 hour seminars including group work and class discussion of key topics and debates from the lectures
Guided independent study8040 course readings (2 hours each)
Guided independent study80Reading/research for essay
Guided independent study16Essay plan preparation
Guided independent study80Reading/revisions for exam

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Journals: Addiction, Addictive Behaviors, Journal of Addiction Medicine (JAMA), Sociology