HolisticWisdom.org web site
Linda Diane Feldt
NCTMB, Holistic Health Practitioner and Herbalist
The Ann Arbor Center for Holistic Health and Traditional Wisdom
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Syllabus for Life Skills Class Understanding Addictions April/May 2006
Teacher: Linda Diane Feldt
Assignments: You will have some articles to read, a five page paper due at the end of class, you’ll be asked to bring in an example of how the media portrays addiction, and there will be one short (three paragraph) essay.
Evaluation: You will be evaluated by turning in on time and complete assignments, class attendance and participation. Suggesting or bringing in material relevant to the class gives you extra credit.
Attendance: If you miss more than two classes, you will need to do make up work for those missed classes. If you are late to class by more than 15 minutes, I count that as a missed class. If you don’t meet these requirements, you won’t get credit for the class.
More Information: All of the assignments, class schedule, and make ups will be posted and regularly updated on my website. Go to
http://www.holisticwisdom.org/hwpages/addictions.htm
You can also call or e-mail me with questions.
feldt@holisticwisdom.org 734-662-4902
April 6 Overview, What do you know? What would you like to find out?
7 The Brain Game
19 What is addiction? Types of addictions
21 Alcohol and Tobacco
26 Topics for papers, information on creating an outline
28 David Feldt Guest Speaker – stories of crisis intervention, the history of drug use, video games and addiction
May 3 Outline Due Drugs and Addictions
5 Drugs and Addictions cont. prescription drugs, self prescribing and self medication, sharing, the line between abusing and using Assign media example
10 Food, gambling, video and other addictive activities
12 Media Example Due media and popular culture Assign Essay on personal impact of addictions
17 Altered states – looking at why addictions continue
19 Essay Due Healthy and safe options and alternatives
24 Treatment options, impact of addictions, legal and criminal issues
26 Sarah Guest Speaker – personal story of addiction
31 Individual presentations papers due
June 2 Individual presentations papers due
Media Assignment - bring in one example of how the media endorses, supports, or encourages addictive behavior. It can be a picture, ad, or text
Essay - In at least three paragraphs describe how addiction has affected your life. These essays will not be shared in class. Hint: if you can't think of a personal example, consider the larger cost of addiction in terms of our society's resources , class and culture, crime, and jobs.
Paper - Choose a topic from the suggestions in class. Prepare an outline (we'll go over this in class). Write a five page paper (double spaced, normal margins, 12 point or smaller font). If you write it by hand, this is about 1200 words. Use at least three sources and provide them at the end of the paper. Web sites, books, articles, or an interview are all acceptable. The papers are due May 31 and June 2. You'll make a short 2-5 minute presentation in class. You can read from parts of your paper, or just summarize.
