Reducing Gun Violence in America Evidence for Change

Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change is designed to provide learners with the best available science and insights from top scholars across the country as well as the skills to understand which interventions are the most effective to offer a path forward for reducing gun violence in our homes, schools, and communities.Through this course, you will learn how to:

1. Appreciate the scope of gun violence and the importance of considering the issue across a variety of contexts.
2. Describe the role of law and policy in addressing gun violence at the federal, state, and local levels.
3. Compare the effectiveness of gun violence policies and highlight the importance of changing the way we talk about gun
   violence.
4. Describe state standards for civilian gun carrying and use and how those standards affect crime and violence.
5. Describe how firearm design is regulated, the effective and just enforcement of firearm laws, and strategies for reducing police-involved shootings.
6. Identify and explain evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence and understand public opinion on gun policy.

As a student of this course, it’s important to recognize that you are part of an international learning community. We understand that gun violence can be a difficult issue to discuss and we all have our own set of opinions and beliefs. However, we ask you to please remember that gun violence is something that affects every person differently. It’s important to understand that this course is intended to generate productive and meaningful conversation.

We ask students of this course to abide by the rules outlined and expected of you by Coursera’s Code of Conduct Policy. Please help us promote a healthy, productive, and sustainable learning environment for all and practice the following principles:

Be polite.  Treat your fellow learners with respect.  Insulting, condescending, or abusive words will not be tolerated.  Do not harass other learners.  Polite debate is welcome as long as you are discussing the ideas or the evidence, not attacking the person.

Be sensitive.  Remember that Coursera is a global forum with learners from many different cultures and backgrounds.  Be kind, thoughtful, and open-minded when discussing race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or controversial topics since others likely have differing perspectives.

Post appropriate content.  Content that violates the Honor Code or Terms of Service is not permitted.  You may not post inappropriate (e.g., pornographic or obscene) content.  Do not post copyrighted content.  Do not advertise or promote outside products or organizations.  Do not spam the forums with repetitive content.

Please note that violations of Coursera’s Code of Conduct, Honor Code, or Terms of service are not permitted and may result in:  Deletion of posted content.  Removal from the course.  Losing access to the Coursera site.

*It is important to also note that certain policies and laws mentioned in this course are likely to change and develop over time. As a result, we understand that course content may need to be updated to reflect such changes. While we will strive to do this as quickly as possible, we appreciate your patience. All information included in the course is reported accurately at the time of recording and we intend to update lectures as soon as possible and to the best of our ability.

The development of this course was made possible through generous financial support provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, an organization committed to improving the lives of children, enabling the creative pursuit of science, advancing reproductive health, and conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems.

None

Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Guns and Gun Violence in America
Week 2
Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence
Week 3
Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence
Week 4
Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes
Week 5
Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings
Week 6
Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Does this course contain anything disturbing?

The subject matter of this course covers situations and events that are potentially disturbing to some learners. For example, suicide, domestic and intimate partner violence, violent crimes, and mass shootings are discussed throughout this course and may trigger personally traumatic experiences.

I am or someone close to me is a survivor of gun violence. Is this course a place to seek and receive help?

No, this course is an opportunity to learn about the evidence and research behind the complex public health crisis of gun violence in America. This course is purely an educational tool and is not intended to replace treatment or other health services. If you or a loved one need help, we suggest that you contact your local mental health provider, or state associations for psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers. They can often provide you with a list of resources, some at no cost, for receiving the help you need.

For more urgent needs or to find out more about how you can find mental health assistance, we encourage you to reference the following:

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, we encourage you to call 911 and ask for assistance from a crisis intervention-trained officer.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone. You can access the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 24 hours a day.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline operates 24/7 to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and information on domestic violence-related issues. For the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also has a crisis text line in which you can receive 24/7 support from a trained crisis counselor. Text NAMI to 741-741 for support from this resource, or visit https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine for more information

If you are seeking treatment facilities, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator that can guide you to treatment resources in your area. Visit https://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ to use the treatment services locator.

We know that the material covered in this course may be upsetting for some. We encourage everyone to practice self-care and utilize the resources provided to take care of your mental health.

Reviews

Solid, evidence-based course exploring an important topic from multiple angles.

I highly recommend taking this course for anyone interested in learning more about gun violence and gun policy in America.

Very informative course. A step by Step to learning from highly recommended

So informative! Really changed my opinion about gun violence