Course

Social Scientific Addiction Research (DHV340)

The aim of the course is to provide insight into selected theoretical and methodological approaches for understanding and analyzing substance use and addiction as a social and multidisciplinary phenomenon.


Dette er emnebeskrivelsen for studieåret 2025-2026

Fakta

Emnekode

DHV340

Vekting (stp)

10

Semester undervisningsstart

Spring

Undervisningsspråk

English

Antall semestre

1

Vurderingssemester

Spring

Timeplan

Vis timeplan

Litteratur

Søk etter pensumlitteratur i Leganto

Content

Drawing on empirical cases from current research and real-world scenarios, this course aims to employ theoretical and methodological tools for contextualizing and analyzing substance use and addiction. It will thoroughly explore and critically review various aspects, including societal regulations, policies, and cultural attitudes towards substance use. Furthermore, it will examine how society responds when substance use becomes problematic and address service provision and development. Moreover, the course will delve into the lived experiences of citizens and their social networks, carefully examining the social dynamics of prevalent substance use and addiction. It will also explore how individuals might be affected and marginalized, as well as the relationships citizens have with local communities and service providers.

Learning outcome

The following learning outcomes will be achieved by the PhD candidate on completion of the course:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate:

  • is in the forefront of knowledge in the field of substance use and addiction, with a special focus on social, public health and multidisciplinary perspectives
  • can evaluate the expediency and application of different theories and methods in the field of social scientific substance use and addiction research
  • can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, methods, interpretations, and forms of documentation in the field of substance use and addiction

Skills

By the end of the course, the PhD candidate will be able to:

  • can formulate problems, plan and carry out research and scholarly development work on substance use and addiction in a social and multidisciplinary perspective
  • can carry out research and scholarly research work of high international standard and analyze relationships between policy, legal regulation, the availability and use of public services and citizens lived experience
  • can handle complex academic issues regarding substance use and addiction and challenge established knowledge and practice in the field

General competence

By the end of the course, the PhD candidate:

  • can identity new relevant ethical issues in social scientific substance use and addiction research, and carry out his/her research with scholarly integrity
  • can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects
  • can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels
  • can participate in debates in the field in international forums
  • can assess the need for, initiate and practice innovation

Forkunnskapskrav

Master level within medicine, health sciences, societal safety, social science, or similar educations.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Individual paper 1/1 Passed / Not Passed


Individual paper of 5000 words (+/- 10%) in English on a self-chosen topic approved by the course teachers, which departs from the participants' on-going PhD project. However, the paper must take the form of a contribution to the general literature on different aspects related to substance use and addiction. The paper must be submitted within five weeks after the end of the course and will be evaluated as Pass/Fail.

Vilkår for å gå opp til eksamen/vurdering

Prepare a selection of self-chosen peer-reviewed literature of approximately 500 pages relevant for the course paper. A draft of the course paper must be submitted one week ahead of the second seminar, where a presentation of the paper will be given.

Fagperson(er)

Course coordinator:

Anne Schanche Selbekk

Course coordinator:

Ingunn Studsrød

Method of work

The course consists of 2 seminars and self-study. The seminars will include plenary debates and participant presentations. A detailed timetable will be made available at the beginning of the course.

Åpent for

PhD candidates enrolled in PhD programmes at the University of Stavanger or other accredited universities/university colleges in Norway or abroad.

Emneevaluering

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Kontakt

Course coordinator:

Anne Schanche Selbekk

Course coordinator:

Ingunn Studsrød

Tilbys av

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Health Sciences

The course description is retrieved from FS (Felles studentsystem). Version 1