ASSIGNMENT

Identify and start to unlearn the biases, stereotypes and/or oppressive assumptions they have about substance use and “addiction.”

Share two biases, stereotypes and/or oppressive assumptions that they have about specific drugs, people who use drugs and/or the complicated concept of “addiction.” They will explain these in their own words and discuss how they might negatively impact service users.

Reflect on where they learned these biases, stereotypes, or oppressive assumptions, using the tools gained in The Sociology of Power, Privilege, and Identity. Note that while students are welcome to share personal lived experiences, this is not required; students can successfully complete this assignment by looking at how they were socialized through cultural (e.g., the media, the educational system, etc.) rather than individual sources (e.g., their families or lived experiences). Regardless, students must identify how intersecting forms of social oppression (colonialism, capitalism, white supremacy, heteropatriarchy an/or ableism) contributed to the development of these biases and reflect on their personal social locations.

Name one of these two biases that they would like to challenge and change this semester, explaining why they have chosen that bias, and the steps they will take to outgrow it. These steps must include specific ideas for what students can do in addition to basic class work.