410.621.81
The Opioid Crisis: Problem Solving Seminar
Location
Internet
Term
1st Term
Department
Health, Behavior and Society
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online with Some Synchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Introduction to Online learning
An epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose is sweeping the United States. Political leaders, health departments, and the healthcare system are working to develop effective responses. This course will examine this crisis by critically evaluating available data, science, and policy options in their political context.
Uses interactive case-based and problem-based strategies to provide an overview of the impact of the opioid crisis in the United States. Enables students to develop skills to address different aspects of the opioid crisis. Addresses topics including stigma attached to opioid use and treatment of opioid use disorders, the development of strategies to address such stigma, the importance of data in identifying opportunities for response, assessment of current policy options for addressing the opioid crisis in the United States, and addressing the political challenges to support effective policymaking. Prepares students to undertake data collection at the state level.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Express the practical challenges of using data in confronting a rapidly evolving public health crisis
- Recognize the importance of cultural norms such as stigma in shaping the policy environment, and develop strategies for addressing stigma
- Construct a system-level intervention that employs effective strategies to address the opioid epidemic
- Distinguish between popular strategies that are unlikely to work and unpopular strategies that have a stronger evidence base for effectiveness
- Prepare a policy memo sensitive to both policy imperatives and political considerations
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 60% Written Assignment(s)
- 25% Group Project(s)
- 15% Participation
Enrollment Restriction
undergraduate students are not permitted in this course