Course Description:
This web-based interprofessional course provides a topic-focused overview of violence and abuse across the lifespan, with particular attention to building knowledge around epidemiology, dynamics, health effects, and an introduction to programs targeted to both intervention and prevention. The socio-ecological model will be used to examine social factors that contribute to violence and abuse, and that can be utilized in crafting prevention-focused interventions. Learners will progress through the course in interprofessional collaborative teams that will serve as models for a coordinated community response to violence and abuse.
Intended Students:
This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate students, health and human service graduate students, and practicing health and human service professionals. Violence in families is a topic of relevance to all health and human service professionals, educators, and those who may come in contact with survivors, perpetrators, and intermediaries. Given the demonstrated importance of forging a coordinated community response to violence and abuse, a collaborative and interprofessional approach to learning and practice is emphasized throughout the course. Particular attention will be paid throughout the learning process and in the assignment of marks to active and engaged participation by students in on-line discussion forums, and to group process.
Course Objectives:
Students who complete this course will be able to:
- Articulate social and behavioural factors that contribute to violence and abuse across the lifespan;
- Describe the epidemiology of violence and abuse across the lifespan;
- Identify ways in which both survivors and perpetrators of violence and abuse across the lifespan present, or fail to present, to the health care system;
- Explain the main features of a viable interprofessional coordinated community response to violence and abuse;
- Describe and critique existing Canadian and international initiatives in the intervention and prevention of violence and abuse across the lifespan;
- Articulate social and behavioural factors that contribute to resilience and recovery;
- Identify and access local, regional and national resources for prevention and intervention; and
- Describe how those interested in ongoing work in the field can craft a path to leadership in preventing violence and abuse.
Week-by-Week Course Outline:
| Week 1. | Topics: | Introductions, course goals Formation of interprofessional teams Boundaries and Self Care The Social-Ecological Model Cultural Awareness |
| Week 2. | Topics: | Overview of violence across the lifespan The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study |
| Week 3. | Topics: | Child abuse and neglect Child exposure to family violence |
| Week 4. | Topics: | Adult intimate partner violence Adolescent relationship violence |
| Week 5. | Topic: | Rape and sexual assault |
| Week 6. | Topic: | Abuse in later life (elder abuse) |
| Week 7. | Topic: | Abuse in non-majority cultures |
| Week 8. | Topic: | Abuse by clergy and other trusted members of society |
| Week 9. | Topic: | Human trafficking |
| Week 10. | Topic: | Rape in the context of war and in post-conflict settings |
| Week 11. | Topic: | Secondary traumatization and self-care |
| Week 12. | Topic: | News and Entertainment Media – Friend, Foe or Ally? |
| Week 13. | Topic: | Building a coordinated community response to violence and abuse across the lifespan |
Required Materials:
- Reliable internet access is an absolute necessity as this is an online course that requires organization and teamwork!
- Additional required and recommended readings and videos will be available via web-links provided by the instructor.
- During the first week of the semester, each student will need to research and submit a local resource list of community agencies and help-lines related to violence and abuse across the lifespan.
Course Work:
Course work includes individual readings, written assignments, group work assignments, and a final paper.
Mark distribution for course:
- Individual assignment postings: 30 marks
- Group assignment postings: 20 marks
- Final paper: 30 marks
- Self-assessment: 10 marks
- Group assessment: 10 marks
Additional Information:
To find out more about this course or to contact the instructor, please email Elaine J. Alpert, MD, MPH elaine.alpert@ubc.ca.
