DRUGS
IN OUR SOCIETY
Wednesday, 6:00 – 8:50 pm
Instructor: Shauna Quinn, M.A.
Office: Butte 622
Office
Phone: 898-6450
FAX: 898-6916
E-Mail: squinn@csuchico.edu
Office
Hours: Wednesday: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (or
by appointment)
Text: Inaba, D.S. & Cohen, W.E.
(2004). Uppers, Downers All Arounders:
Physical
and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs (5th ed.).
Ashland, OR: CNS Publications, Inc.
Course
Description
This course is designed to explore
relevant issues of alcohol and drug use and abuse in American society. It will serve as an overview of the use and
abuse of alcohol, prescription, and street drugs, and their personal and
societal consequences on young adults, the family, and society. Historical perspectives, legal issues, and
decision-making skills regarding drug use will also be addressed. This is an approved General Education course. HCSV 370 fulfills the requirements of the
General Education Upper Division Theme, Contemporary Health Issues, Area
D. This course has a 2,500 word writing
requirement, which is discussed in the syllabus below.
Course
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1.
Outline
the history of drug use in the United States.
2.
Discuss
the extent of us of licit and illicit drugs within various populations in the
United States.
3.
Outline
the cultural influences, including family, peers, and media, on the use of
selected drugs.
4.
Describe
the nature and characteristics of dependence and addiction.
5.
List
the major drug classifications and their physiological effects.
6.
Discuss
the social, economic, political, psychological, and pharmacological
consequences of drug misuse on the American society.
7.
Evaluate
the current efforts to control drug use and suggest alternative approaches.
8.
Discuss
the physiological, social, and treatment aspects of alcohol and tobacco use in
the United States.
9.
Discuss
the major illicit drugs, their prevalence, physiological effects, and treatment
strategies.
10. Discuss the major types of
prescription and over-the-counter drugs, their use and misuse,
and their effects of medical advertising and regulation.
Attendance
Attendance
is mandatory. Much of the learning that
occurs during this course will depend on your participation in class discussion
and other class activities. Therefore,
your attendance is extremely important.
Attendance will be taken at each class session and will affect your
grade.
Academic
Honesty
The faculty at CSU, Chico expects
students to maintain a high standard of academic integrity. Cheating is the willful and intentional fraud
or deception for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course
credit. This behavior will result in
disciplinary action and loss of credit for the course. For details read The Code of Student Rights
and Responsibilities located at http://www.csuchico.edu/sjd/discipline/honesty.html.
Three
In-Class Exams
There are no make-up exams unless
student has a verifiable medical excuse and arrangements have been made with
the instructor prior to the date of the exam.
(150 points each)
On an assigned date during the
semester, bring a newspaper, magazine or internet article to present to the
class. The article may be on any topic
pertaining to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
The article may be about legal issues, policy changes, or medical
issues, and may be family-oriented or educational in nature. Articles must be a minimum of 4 newspaper or
magazine columns. Bring a photocopy of
the article to class for the instructor.
(20 points)
Writing
Assignments
The following writing assignments are
designed to meet the 2,500 word minimum for General Education requirements. All written materials turned in must be
generated by computer or word processor and must be 12-point font size,
double-spaced. Evaluation of writing
assignments will be on content, format, grammar, and spelling. Details will be provided when assignments are
given. Work will not be accepted late unless previously approved by the
instructor.
A three-page summary
of a peer reviewed journal article that supports or refutes the text, class
presentations, or guest speakers. These articles should be current (since
2002). Check with the instructor to
verify the appropriateness of the journal. The format should include the name
of the journal, title of article, author, and summary of the research. A
photocopy of the article must be attached to receive credit. Details to be discussed in class. (100 points)
2. Alcohol-EDU Online Class & Reaction
Paper
Students will complete an online alcohol prevention program. The class includes an exam and a follow-up survey. In order to get complete credit for the assignment, you must complete all aspects of the assignment. The student will write a 2-page reaction paper about what they learned from this experience (80 points)
3. Behavior Change Paper
Select an activity which you find very difficult to control or you would like to change. You must agree to stop or start this activity for at least two weeks, but preferably a month. Keep a log on your behavior and write a three-page paper about your success or failure to change your behavior. Details will be discussed in class. (150 points)
4. Group Research Project, Presentation,
& Paper
Students will form small groups, research
controversial topics, and make a 20-minute presentation for the class. Each individual member will write a 4-page
research paper about the specific topic researched. The assignment will give
students an opportunity to gain experience researching a problem, organizing a
presentation, and working together as a group.
Topics and details will be given and discussed in class. (200 points).
Evaluation
Exams 3 @ 150 = 450
Group Research Project 1 @ 200 = 200
Behavior Change Paper 1 @ 150 = 150
Peer Reviewed Journal 1 @ 100 = 100
Alcohol EDU + Paper 1 @ 80 = 80
Popular Media Article 1 @
20 = 20
Total
Points 1000
Schedule
of Assignments
Weekly Popular Media Reports
November 1 Test #2
December 13 Final Exam
(Note: This syllabus is subject to change due to
schedule changes and timeline adjustments)