Under the Influence: Alcohol, Drugs, and Young Adulthood

Faculty

Priya Ranganath Ph.D Student, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research (Aarhus University, 2019-2024. Master in Sociology (Trinity College Dublin, 2017-2018) Master in International Business (Monash University, 2007-2009) Bachelor in Management (Tourism) (University of Technology, Sydney 2002-2005). With DIS since 2022.

Course Description

While young Danes continue to be the heaviest drinkers in Europe, high levels of drinking and problematic drug use amongst teens and young adults present a significant global health burden. In this interdisciplinary course, you will assess the effect of intoxication on the developing brain and body and analyze its social, psychological, and legal impacts, including addiction and mental health challenges, illness and injury, sexual health, criminality, and social exclusion.

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Assess with clarity the contexts and consequences of alcohol and drug related harms for young individuals and society with a particular focus on social, economic and political contexts of risk environments and these contexts are mediated by age, gender, class and ethnicity. 
• Identify and apply contemporary responses to substance use and critically evaluate its effectiveness to support recovery, harm reduction and successful treatment outcomes 
• Engage in contemporary contested debates as to how society should best support young people with substance use and investigate future developments in drug treatments 
• Connect theory and practice in order to develop a high-level knowledge of addiction to strengthen competencies in other disciplines. 

Syllabus

Click here to view syllabus for Spring 2024

Readings 

Click here to access the list of readings for Spring 2024

Teaching methods

The course will be a mix of interactive lectures, class discussions, group work, student presentations, and feedback sessions. While we as faculty are responsible for the overall structure of the class, all of us will contribute to the production of knowledge. All students are expected and encouraged to engage actively in class sessions.

Assignments

Assignments and tests are submitted via Canvas. Submissions exceeding the word limit will be penalized by a third of a grade per additional page or part thereof (A- becomes B+, B becomes B- etc.).

Late assignments will be accepted, but your grade will be reduced by 2 thirds of a grade for each day or part thereof that it is late (A- becomes B, B becomes C+ etc.).

Policies

Attendance

You are expected to attend all DIS classes and activities when scheduled, and we will actively monitor attendance. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Excused absences include only serious illness and participation in religious holidays.

If you miss multiple classes, the Director of Academic Support, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. In the case of multiple absences, you will need to provide a doctor’s note.

Missing class: You must always notify your instructor about an absence a reasonable time in advance. Each failure to notify your faculty of an absence in advance will result in a deduction of 2 points off your final participation grade.

Class room etiquette

A good learning environment requires that everyone is present, prepared, and participating. Out of respect for both faculty and fellow students, we expect you to be on time and to participate in the full duration of the class.

Laptops and phones in class: You may use your laptop for note‐taking or fact‐checking. Usage of laptops or phones not related to the class is unacceptable, and will reduce your participation grade significantly.

Make-up classes: There are a few open slots for make-up classes in the syllabus. Please note that there may be organized mandatory classes during these time slots.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

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