ASC5010 - Gambling and other process addictions - 2018

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Eastern Health Clinical School

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti

Coordinator(s)

Dr Naomi Crafti
Ms Jane Oakes

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • Second semester 2018 (Online)

Synopsis

This subject will define and present the latest research in the aetiology, maintenance, treatment and recovery from gambling and other process addictions. Process addictions involve dependence to certain mood-altering behaviours, such as gambling, eating disorders, sexual activity, the internet or gaming and shopping/hoarding behaviours. While the main focus of this subject will be on problem gambling, the generalisation of underlying principles to other problem behaviours will be described and discussed. Some of the areas to be covered in this unit include; definitions and features of behavioural addictions, prevention and treatment programs for behavioural addictions and public health issues.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Recognise the prevalence and characteristics of a gambling disorder
  2. Critique the differences and similarities between behavioural or process addictions and substance disorders
  3. Contextualise issues regarding gambling addiction including precipitating, maintaining and relapsing factors
  4. Provide an evidence based assessment, treatment and recovery program for a person with multiple or complex addiction issues
  5. Compare and contrast the unique features associated with a range of behaviourally based addictive disorders
  6. Critically analyse the research, available treatments and subclinical problems associated with one or more behavioural addictions (in addition to gambling)
  7. Present an argument to potential legislators, based on the available evidence, to legislate for changes in the law that can contribute to behaviour change in an area of addiction identified in this unit.
  8. Critically analyse the contribution of the internet to gambling and other process addictions.
  9. Compare and contrast the difference between biological needs (e.g. for food and reproduction) and addictive behaviours.

Assessment

  • Assessment tasks Handbook entry description:
  • Participation in online discussions (Hurdle)
  • Debate: Provide a case either for or against the concept of process addictions (written) (1,500 words) (15%)
  • Case study (written) (4,500 words) (30%)
  • Essay (written) (6,500 words) (55%) (Hurdle) (You must reach a minimum pass of 45% in this item to pass the unit)

Workload requirements

Students enrolling in ASC5010 will be expected to contact the unit coordinator(s) regularly throughout the semester and participate in online discussion with fellow students and academic staff. Students should expect to spend around 24 hours a week of self-directed learning. This includes accessing online lectures, podcasts and resources as well as participating in forum discussions questions and quizzes via Moodle in addition to conducting offline independent study such as reading, research and writing activities.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study