Community and Addiction Studies - BA (Hons)

Course Code: US928

Level

Duration

4 Years (Including work placements in years 2 and 3)

Department

Applied Social Sciences

CAO Points

228

Course Type

Undergraduate - CAO

Location

Limerick

The Community and Addiction Studies course offers participants the skills and competencies to work in the voluntary sector, as well as with State or NGO providers of community and social inclusion services. Graduates of this course pursue careers in community initiatives with a focus on inclusive practice, empowerment and collaboration.

Graduate employment opportunities are wide ranging, to include national, regional or local projects which are addressing addiction, homelessness, unemployment, cultural development and community sports initiatives.

The course is grounded in the principles of empowerment, human rights, inclusion and social justice. Graduates of this course will be furnished with the requisite knowledge and skills to work in and meaningfully engage communities affected by addiction, to support voluntary activity and to progress community projects.

There is a very substantial practical and applied component to this course, so students will develop the real skills and competencies required for the workplace. A practical placement in years two and three are a key element of the course, which will allow students apply their learning in a real-life environment.

Potential Applicants please note: All applicants accepting a place on this course will be required to undertake Garda Vetting.

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English or Irish. Mathematics is not a subject requirement for this programme.

QQI FET/FETAC Applicants & Mature Applicants

Refer to Admissions Office section for further information.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Who can I contact?

Department Office
DASS@lit.ie

What modules will I study?

Year 1 - Semester 1
Title: Safeguarding In Communities

Credits: 5
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1. Demonstrate a range of practices central to working with vulnerable people
2. Describe the theories and research relevant to this field of practice, supporting those with diverse needs and abilities in a range of contexts
3. Apply an understanding of the social, emotional and behavioural development of vulnerable people
Title: Foundations in Addiction Theory

Credits: 5
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1. Identify the historical and contemporary theory informing the primary causes, characteristics and processes of addictive behaviour.
2. Understand the fundamentals of Family Systems Theory
3. Develop an awareness of the impact of substance use on the family
Title: Introduction To Community Development

Credits: 5
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1. Describe the nature and definitions of community, community development and community work
2. Describe the origins and structure of community work in Ireland.
3. Outline the main principles and values associated with community work and community development.
4. Discuss key theoretical underpinnings of community work and community developmen in Ireland and internationally.
Title: Introduction to Sociology

Credits: 5
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1. Introduce the Sociology and Social Policy Stream; define Sociology as a discipline and
2. explain the three approaches to thinking sociologically (The Three Lenses: Symbolic
3. Interactionism, Structural Functionalism and The Conflict Perspective).
4. Outline at an introductory level - sociological thinking associated with: Auguste Comte,
5. Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx.
6. Identify and illustrate the significance of sociological thinking in relation to socialisation
7. and identity-forming processes.
8. Examine how our dynamic identity formation, is influenced by interactions (that shape
9. emerging beliefs, norms and values) within: family, society and culture, social class and
10. mass media (including social media).
11. Be able to apply Sociological thinking (using the three lenses framework) as a means
12. of understanding, explaining and analysing contemporary life issues
Title: Introduction To Youth Work

Credits: 5
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1. Define and describe the role of youth work in relation to the context ofcommunity development.
2. Outline the historical development of youth work in Ireland
3. Understand the values and skillsthat underpin youth work practice.
4. Identify and describethe different types of youth work provision in Ireland
Title: Personal Development - The Self and Identity

Credits: 5
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1. Identify the main theories which underpin the knowledge of reflection, and the reflectiveprocess.
2. Explain the relevance of reflection as a process for professional development.
3. Describe the role of reflection as a conduit between the personal and developing professional identity.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of reflection, and the impact of this understanding through engagement inexperiential group work,and weekly reflective journal entires.
5. Illustrate an understanding of the ongoing necessity of engaging in self-awareness; to see reflection as complementary to personal and professional development.
Year 1 - Semester 2
Title: Models Of Community Work

Credits: 5
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1. Describe the primary frameworks and approaches to community development.
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of models of practice
3. Understand the current community developmentlandscape in Ireland
4. Examine the application of models and frameworks in practice
Title: Substance Use And Mental Health

Credits: 5
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1. Know and apply theoretical models of mental health into their understanding of substance useand howthese modelsinformin their professional practice.
2. Understand and be able to apply principles of psychology and psychiatryin treatment settingsand/or community work
3. Critically examine how the integration of mental health modelsto social and community work can enhance the understandingand treatment of co-occuring disorders.
4. Develop an awareness of national and international mental health policiers.
5. Apply skills in evidence informed research and practice, including an understanding of competing theories, concepts and frameworks underpinning mental healthpractice and/or community work and demonstrate an ability to apply advocacy-based approaches which promote the interests of service users through system-level change.
Title: Applied Social Policy

Credits: 5
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1. Discuss the impact of social policy on the provision on Community Development
2. Explain the role of social policy in meeting the needs of a range ofsocial groups
3. Assess the contribution of social policy as a response to inequality and disadvantage
Title: Information Management

Credits: 5
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1. Outline a range of information management skills related to the addiction and community development field.
2. Explain the relevance of effective information management systems in the addiction and community development field.
3. Describe a range of information management skills relevant to the addiction and community development field.
4. Demonstrate A range of information management skills related to the addiction and community development field.
Title: Introduction To Groupwork And Facilitation Skills

Credits: 5
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1. Understand the principles of facilitation in a community development context.
2. Organise and facilitate groups in a variety of contexts and situations.
3. Demonstrate the competencies required by a facilitator working in this sector.
4. Reflect on their own competencies and design appropriate strategies for their development.
Title: Personal Development - Groups In Action: Shaping The Self

Credits: 5
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1. Know and apply theoretical models of diversity and difference into their understanding of the world and identify these models in operation in their professional practice.
2. Understand and be able to apply principles of group development how group development impacts their behaviour.
3. Apply skills in evidence informed research and practice, including an understanding of competing theories, concepts and frameworks underpinning group behaviour and practices in teams andcommunity work.
4. Reflect on the impact of personal valuesand individual experience on professional conduct and manage this impact by applying theoretical frameworks to the understanding and management of group development, teams, organisations in thecommunity in order to promote best practice in working towards social inclusion
Year 2 - Semester 1
Title: Applied Community Intervention

Credits: 5
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1. To Understand Evidence Based Community Interventions for substance misuse
2. To Describe a range of Community Based Interventions
3. Tocritique brief interventions and assertive outreach in the addiction and community development field..
4. To Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Evidence based approach
5. To Develop an awareness of the application of evidence based models in the community including CRA, SFP, MI and The5 StepModel.
Title: Case Management

Credits: 5
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1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Case management approach
2. Understand andevaluate current practice and research in the area of Case management approach
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of Case Management approachesamong addiction services locally, nationally and Internationally
4. Discuss and Understandthe theories undermining Case Management approachand relevance to effective treatment (integrated care, four tier model, person centred, Continuum of care, protocols)
5. Apply core skills in Case Management Approachin role and real play scenarios
6. Critically discuss Case management'sComprehensive assessment approach and value to the field of addiction and community development.
Title: Contemp. Issues In Addiction

Credits: 5
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1. Understand the signs and symptoms of use and misuse
2. Recognise the ethical issues arising in treatment, to include stereotyping and bias in relation to addiction
3. Describe the physical, emotional and mental health implications of use
4. Outline current screening and assessment criteria in the diagnosis of addiction
5. Explain the effects of addiction on communities in different settings
6. Understand the changing response to addiction and addicts by health and social professionals over the past 50 years
Title: Physiological Processes Of Addiction

Credits: 5
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1. Define and discuss the relationship between physical and psychological dependence.
2. Identify the physiological manifestations of disorders associated with alcohol and other drug use.
3. Describe the physiological effects of alcohol and other drugs.
4. Understand the effects of withdrawal from a range of substances.
5. Identify a range of interventions to support people with drug dependence.
6. UnderstandDrug and alcohol effectsand their relationship with mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and psychosis.
Title: Advanced Participation Skills

Credits: 5
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1. Identify and explain key theories from social psychology relevant to group work
2. Assess the relevance of group process models such as: Tuckman and Jensen's group stage theory and Belbin's team role models in group work contexts.
3. Demonstrate key facilitation skills of active listening, conflict management,positive communication, negotiation skills and; giving and receiving constructive feedback in group contexts
4. Apply the principles of successful summary report writing in group-project contexts
Title: Personal Development: Advancing The Identity Of The Practitioner.

Credits: 5
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1. Identify the key theoretical frameworks underpinning professional resilience.
2. Demonstrate an awareness of basic approaches and challenges for multidisciplinary community substance misuse teams in developing and maintaining healthy professional resilience through a critical understanding of the variety of prevention and support measures for those affected by maladaptive professional resilience.
3. Be able to express professional, informed and considered options to a multidisciplinary team in the arena of substance misuse in the community, within the boundaries of confidentiality.
4. Compare and contrast intervention skills and challenges for a multidisciplinary team and be able to identify and communicate interventions that support healthy professional resilience within that team.
5. Be familiar with the provisions of the current Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland, and understand its role in managing self-care and professional resilience
Year 2 - Semester 2

Title: Programme Work Placement

Credits: 30
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Year 3 - Semester 1
Title: Community Work Placement

Credits: 30
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1. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of participatory models available
2. Explain the appropriateness of models or frameworks pertaining to real-world situations
3. Appreciate the distinct requirements of different organisations in this broad sector
4. Evaluate the strengths and challenges associated with community participatory techniques
Year 3 - Semester 2
Title: Applied Research & Digital Lit

Credits: 5
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1. Be competent to undertake a literature review
2. Demonstrate the ability to complete evidence-based research
3. Understand referencing methods, citationand the classification of peer reviewed journals.
4. Demonstrate an appreciation ofquantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches to research
5. Analyse methodological design considerations and analytical techniques
Title: Behavioural Processes In Addiction

Credits: 5
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1. Understand the concenpt of non-substance related addiciton
2. Identify and understand the evidence supporting process andbehavioural addictions
3. Discuss and Critique the classification of Behavioural Addiction in standard Diagnostic Classifications (DSM and ICD)
4. Demonstrate an understanding of scientific evidence for evolving conditions referred to as Process and/or Behavioural Addiction
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of evidence based interventions available in this area
Title: Project Management For Community Groups

Credits: 5
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1. Describe the principles and requirements of the project management cycle from project initiation to evaluation.
2. Complete a project application for funding for a community or voluntary organisation.
3. Use an appropriate IT application as a tool to effectively manage a small project
Title: Psychosocial Interventions

Credits: 5
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1. Identify the primary theoretical models informing the types of psychosocial interventions used in community settings.
2. Compare and contrast intervention skills and challenges for professionals in different settings underpinned by different philosophies an d theoretical models.
3. To outline appropriate interventions for each classification crisis
4. To understand appropriate protocols and interventions
5. To recognise the ethical issues that arise in addiction intervention and treatment
6. To describe the effects of addiction in communities
Title: Designing Community Participation

Credits: 5
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1. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of participatory models available
2. Explain the appropriateness of models or frameworks pertaining to real-world situations
3. Appreciate the distinct requirements of different organisations in this broad sector
4. Evaluate the strengths and challenges associated with community participatory techniques
Title: Personal Development - Personal To Practitioner Development.

Credits: 5
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1. Examine and identify theirown baseline position by revisitingprior experience and knowledge of resilence and how this applies to post placement.
2. Consider what informs their critical thinking style and how this is related to their professional and personal development.
3. Examining theirbeliefs, values, attitudes and assumptions inways whichformthe basis of a deeper understanding and higher level of learning.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the key theoretical frameworks underpinning professional resilience and transfer those skills into practice.
5. Describe and discuss the basic approaches and challenges for multidisciplinary community substance misuse teams in developing and maintaining healthy professional resilience through a critical understanding of the variety of prevention and support measures for those affected by maladaptive professional resilience.
6. Be able to express professional, informed and considered options to a multidisciplinary team in the arena of substance misuse in the community, within the boundaries of confidentiality.
Year 4 - Semester 1
Title: Community Planning

Credits: 5
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1. Critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses associated withcommunity planning
2. Assess the strategic functions and responsibilities of community planning
3. Demonstrate the core skills required to effectively plan and work in the community and voluntary sector
4. Incorporatethe All-Ireland Standards for Community Work proficiencies intothe community planning process
Title: Interpersonal And Group Dynamics

Credits: 5
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1. Critically reflect on the principles of learning, supervision, mentoring, feedback and professional development resulting from two practiceplacements.
2. Appraise aspects of professional development and supervision and evaluate ones personal strengths and weaknesses for the completion and responsibility for a future professional development.
3. Demonstrate the ability to have considerable critical insight and confidence in leading and working collaboratively with others.
4. Evaluate and analyse the effect of one's own characteristics, values and practice on interactions with service users and professionalsand be able to critically reflect on this to improve practice.
5. Explain the need to monitor, evaluate and monitor the quality of their engagement and communication with othersand be able to critically evaluate one's own practice against evidence-based standards and implement improvements based on the findings of performance management activities
Title: Management In The Community & Voluntary Sector

Credits: 5
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Analyse and evaluate a range of interventions utilised in the community

Title: Social Policy & Addiction

Credits: 5
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1. Critically analyse the relationship between the community and voluntary sector, the state and the social policy domain
2. Critique the normative assumptions and neoliberal discourses informing contemporary community work policy and practice and how that relates to the provision of addiction services
3. Critically engage in social policy analysis to help inform perspectives about community development provision, practices and professionalisation
4. Analyse themethods for influencing policy change that relate to the community development sector with a particular focus on issues of addiction
5. Use social policy knowledge to inform their own personal practice ideology, values and passion for community development
Title: Therapeutic Interventions - Concepts Of Treatment.

Credits: 5
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1. Critically evaluate issues and debates in therapy, how it can be applied andhow interventions are evaluated based on a critical understanding of the relevant psychological therapies.
2. Analyse key concepts in relation to perspectives in psychology and the concepts and frameworks underpinning them and apply them to make appropriate professionally informed therapeutic referrals relevant to the needs of individuals, children, vulnerable adults, marginalised groups and those from varied cultural contexts
3. Synthesise a critical understanding of the dynamics of relationships between professionals and service users and appreciate and apply the concepts of transference and counter-transference
4. Demonstratethat they can create relationships with service users which balance professional duty of care with the need to maintain professional boundaries and recognise the challenges that emerge within caring relationships
Year 4 - Semester 2
Title: Advocacy and Engagement

Credits: 5
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1. Describe a range of advocacy approaches in the the addictionfield
2. Understand the role of advocacy and engagement in the addiction field.
3. Critically appraise the impact of advocacy approaches on the lives of substance users.
4. Demonstrate a range of approaches that mayinfluencedecision-makers, with the aim of developing, establishing or changing policies and practices and of establishing and sustaining programmes and services for substance misusers
Title: Conflict and Crisis Management

Credits: 5
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1. Identify the primary theoretical models informing what conflict in organisations is and how conflict is managed.
2. Compare and contrast intervention skills and challenges for professionals supporting
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of conflict on self awareness, team and organisational behaviour and in particular their own awareness.
4. Express knowledge of methods and strategies for managing conflict.
5. Critically evaluate and assess the strengths, and deficits with their developing professional style of conflict management.
6. Identify the ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts that may arise when working with service users and families in practice and examine the process of ethical decision-making involved in their resolution and how key ethical theories can be used in the resolution of these conflicts.
Title: Current Issues in Community Work

Credits: 5
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1. Critically analyse the current policy and sector context of community work
2. Engage in informed debate relating to the key issues within community work discourse
3. Reflect on the role of community work in Irish society
4. Analyse the contemperory local structuresin community work, its funding and oversight.
Title: Evidenced Based Models of Intervention

Credits: 5
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1. Develop comprehensive understanding of evidence-based interventions.
2. Critically analysethe benefits and challenges withdifferent models of interventions and the settings where these interventions are applied.
3. Understand the Harm Reduction Model and the challenges that comes with this model.
4. Develop an awareness of national and international Health Promotion policies and be able to engage with critical debates in addiction.
Title: Leadership Skills

Credits: 5
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1. Critically analyse the challenges of Leadership in a community setting
2. Evaluate the processes in creating effective teams and influencing interpersonal relationships
3. Critically evaluate the importance of leadership style, motivation and effective management
4. Apply the theory of Leadership principles, strategies and management approaches to sectoral challenges
5. Appreciate the importance of governance and oversight in public service or public funded organisations
Title: Research Project

Credits: 10
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1. Understand PBL and its role in advancing an understanding of practice
2. Explain how the key principles, theories and best practice can be applied to real-world situations in the sector
3. Apply research methodologies to respond to challenges in a solution-focused manner
4. Develop the necessary writingand research skills to complete a PBL

Are there opportunities for further study?

Students can go on to post-graduate study in a number of related areas such as: Community development, sociology and social policy.

What are the career prospects?

There are significant opportunities for professional and career progression within the community, State and voluntary sectors. Graduates will be eligible to work in a wide variety of roles including: Community Development Worker/Coordinator, Community Youth Worker, Policy Worker, Social Researcher/Research Assistant, Group Worker/Facilitator. Typically graduates may work for Family Resource Centres, LEADER companies, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, TUSLA, section 38 public agencies, as well as section 39 voluntary agencies (as per the Health Act 2004).

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