ADC408: Technology, Life Balance and Behavioral Addictions

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/social media – 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, students will be able to:

1. Monitor media usage and set boundaries with technology to ensure their 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 they or others they 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 their ministry context.
5. Develop a plan for themselves and others to maintain life balance, avoid burnout and protection from behavioral addictions.

 

Degree Program Outcomes

Program outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a certificate or degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*). After completing the program, City Vision’s graduates will be able to do the following:

Core Outcomes

1. Christian Integration. Integrate Christian principles and counseling theories in an ethical manner in both Christian and secular counseling environments.  *
2. Addiction Counseling Foundations. Describe each of the 12 core functions and 8 competencies of addiction counselors to be academically prepared to become a certified addiction counselor.
3.  Case Management. Develop case management plans to help clients identify areas where they need help and connecting them with personal and community resources that will help them.  
4. Clinical Counseling Skills. Utilize foundational skills for clinical addiction counseling. 
5. Psychology. Describe the foundational concepts of psychology and apply that in both Christian and secular counseling environments.

Concentration Outcomes

1. 6. Psychopharmacology. Describe foundational concepts of chemical dependency including a range of psychoactive drugs and how they work.
   7. Certification Exam Prep. Identify the key concepts needed to take a licensure exam either to apply to be a peer support specialist or certified addiction counselor.
   8. Practicum. Demonstrate mastery of the practice of addiction counseling through a practicum.
   9. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
   10. Specialized Skills. Apply knowledge and skills in specialized domains related to Addiction Counseling. *

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.   224 pages.

Hart, A. D., & Frejd, S. H. (2013). The Digital Invasion: How technology is Shaping You and Your Relationships. Baker Books. ISBN: 978-081015298. 240 pages.

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: April 19, 2024