Advanced Topics in Macro Social Work

Engaged Policy Development - Battling the Opioid Epidemic - As drug overdose deaths continue to rise, it is imperative that social workers are equipped with the skills to face this crisis, both from a micro and macro perspective. In this course, students will engage with the crisis from a policy perspective as they explore potential solutions. Students will participate in a simulation through which they will explore the role of the government in combating the opioid crisis. Examples of roles that students will take include: policymakers, policy advocates, prescribing doctors, and community stakeholders. Students will be assigned a role, will research their character, and will engage with the other participates as that character throughout the duration of the simulation.

Students will engage with each other using the online platform to develop coalitions and attempt to sway those with differing positions to their side. In addition to asynchronous communication through ViewPoint, students will engage with each other synchronously via BlueJeans video conferencing three times throughout the course. Students will be oriented to the online platform at the beginning of the course and the closing session will be used to debrief the experience.

This course will be a good fit for students interested in expanding their understanding of the policymaking process, the role of stakeholders in that process, and the impact that advocacy groups and professionals can have in policy development. Additionally, students, both with a micro and macro focus, with an interest in substance abuse and mental health will have a particular interest in the content of the simulation.