Summer Institute on Addiction

Programme Syllabus 2019

Course Catalogue Number / WBS element
C.2515.0152.01

Credits
4

Entry requirements
Applicants should have at least a Bachelor's degree and relevant coursework or experience in a field related
to the topics discussed in the programme.
The Institute welcomes individuals with a focused interest in addiction research and treatment, Master and
PhD students, NGO staff working on addiction-related issues, professionals in human services,
practitioners and advocates.
Preference will be given to students based on the following criteria:
• current graduate students
• students currently working towards a PhD
• professionals who are working or want to work with the government, NGOs, or otherwise in a
field related to the topic of the Summer Institute
• policy makers

Instruction language
English

Time Period
Academic dates: June 30 – July 12, 2019
Housing dates: June 28 – July 15, 2019

Location
UvA Roeterseiland Campus
Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
1018WV Amsterdam

Programme Coordinator
Charlotte Luttik summer-info-gsss@uva.nl

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Academic Director
Dr. Helle Larsen

Course Objectives
In this Summer Institute professionals, graduate, and postgraduate students will:
• gain knowledge and understanding of different policy models and the history of the concept of
addiction
• develop command of theories and concepts in the field of addiction studies
• gain knowledge and insight on contemporary prevention services, the current state of affairs, and
evidence-based treatment strategies and innovations

Course Content
Substance abuse and its accompanying health and social problems are considered major problems around
the world with tragic consequences for individuals, families and countries.
While addiction is not a new problem, few countries have sufficient resources allocated to address it.
Further, the language and scope of addiction studies has grown in recent years. As our hyper-globalized
world brings people, substances, ideas, and potential sources of addiction closer together than ever,
researchers, care providers, academics and professionals need to look at addiction studies in a new, dynamic
light.
This two-week Summer Institute seeks to provide an interdisciplinary approach and lens to the study of
addiction. The course will focus on a variety of topics, including policy models, prevention, and evidenced
based treatment and positive emotion interventions. Bridging the gap between research and treatment
practice and policy will also be highlighted throughout the course.

Teaching methods/learning formats

The programme is built around four themes: an overview of policies and the history of the concept of
addiction, contemporary prevention services, the current state of affairs, and an assessment of treatment
innovations. Each class day consists of a morning and afternoon session, with each session lasting 2.5
hours. Each module begins with a lecture and concludes with a workshop integrating concepts into daily
clinical, policy, and research practices. Two excursions supplement classroom presentation: a visit to a
coffee shop, harm reduction service, and a police officer in the Hague; and a morning visit at the municipal
Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD).
A central aspect of the institute is the opportunity to learn from colleagues from around the world. During
the course, participants will be invited to briefly present in their areas of specialization the current state of
affairs in their home countries (e.g. policy, prevention, treatment). Following the presentations, facilitated
workshop session assist students to integrate the research and practice information from instructors and
peers into tangible goals and plans for applying course information to their professional work upon their
return home.

Manner & Form of Assessment and Assessment Requirements & Criteria

The programme is the equivalent of a 4 European Credits module if the following requirements are fulfilled:
• active participation in classes totalling 50 student-instructor contact hours or more
• successful completion of a final paper (of 3000-4000 words) addressing the following criteria:

1. Select a topic area from one of the four tracks (policy, prevention, intervention, innovation).
2. Identify two key concepts or issues from the presentations provided within the selected track.

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 a. Define each concept using source material from the presentations AND assigned readings.
Cite your sources.
b. Compare and contrast these concept/issues.
c. Describe how each concept can be applied to policy, prevention, intervention and
innovation.
3. Make explicit connections between what you learned about these concepts/issues and how you can
apply them to your specialty area in terms of research and practice in addiction.

Inspection of exams/assignments, feedback

Students will be judged on class attendance, literature comprehension, and class participation. Students
seeking course credit will be required to submit a final assignment in the form of a paper, graded by the
academic director.

In order to receive credit for the course, the final grade for the presentation and the paper has to be above
an average 6.0 (out of 1 – 10 scale). For more information about the Dutch grading scale, please visit:
https://www.studyinholland.nl/education-system/dutch-grading-system.
Final grades for the course will be reported to the student via email. Official transcripts with the final results
of the course will be sent no later than September 30, 2019.

Rules regarding Fraud and Plagiarism

The provisions of the Regulations Governing Fraud and Plagiarism for UvA Students apply in full. Access
this regulation on the student information website.

Literature/materials
The required readings will either be available online or provided during the first lecture.