ADC521: Technology, Life Balance and Behavioral Addictions

Undergraduate Syllabus

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can  send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

We live in an epidemic of addiction to sex, pornography, online affairs, gaming, the Internet and Facebook – all addictions that are exacerbated by technology. These fit into a larger category of addictions called behavioral addictions which also includes: codependency, eating, shopping, exercising and work addiction. This course is intended to equip students with an interdisciplinary approach to minister to those with technology-related addictions combining lessons from the disciplines of counseling/psychology, theology, public health and technology.

Please keep in mind that many counseling courses, such as this one, cover very deep issues, which can trigger trauma for some students. Students are encouraged to be aware of this for this course and have strong supports in place.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Monitor media usage and set boundaries with technology to ensure your own sobriety and a healthy diet of media, technology and relationships and to enable others to do the same.
2. Communicate the common causes, patterns and treatment of behavioral addictions including: codependency, workaholism, gaming, gambling, pornography, online/social media, eating, exercise and shopping.
3. Communicate how technology-related and behavioral addictions and media have affected them.
4. Identify resources available to get help if you or others you know face issues of technology-related and behavioral addictions and to be equipped to make referrals and, as appropriate, help with peer support groups within your ministry context.
5. Develop a plan for themselves and others to maintain life balance, avoid burnout and protection from behavioral addictions.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*). After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains:

1. Develop effective technology initiatives in a way that takes into account the unique cultures they will be serving and how to use technology to serve the poor.
2. Understand the Biblical basis, theology and historical context of technology and how to apply that in professional and ministry settings.
3. Understand the Christian vocation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers and their unique identity and role within their field in a way that maximizes their calling and enables Christian ministry 24/7.
4. Understand complex systems in a way that helps them to effectively lead others and apply technology in ministry and professional environments.
5. Understand some of the limits of technology and how to counter some of the negative implications of technology and its effect on relationships and creation of new addictions. *
6. Develop effective technology ministry strategies for developing sustainable initiatives by monitoring and understanding the latest theories, trends, tools and opportunities in technology in ministry.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• Crouch, A. (2017). The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place. Grand Rapids: Baker Books. ISBN: 978-0801018664.
• Hart, D. A. D., & Frejd, D. S. H. (2013). The Digital Invasion: How Technology is Shaping You and Your Relationships. Baker Books. ISBN: 978-081015298.

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: March 30, 2022