California State University, Chico

Department of Health and Community Services

 

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

HCSV 370-01

Drugs in Our Society

Spring 2009

 

 

Instructor: Vahan Hovsepian, MFT

Monday: 6:30 pm to 9:20 pm

Plumas Rm. 106

Start: January 26, 2009

End:   May 18, 2009

3 Units

 

Office Hours: Monday 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Butte Room # 614 Phone: 898-6019

E-Mail: vhovsepian@csuchico.edu

 

Required Texts:

·        Drugs, Behavior and Modern Society, by  Charles F. Levinthal  5th Edition 2005, Pearson, Allyn and Bacon

·        Dying for a Drink, by Spickard and Thompson 2005, W Publishing Group

 

Course Description:

This course examines the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and consequences for young adults, families, and society. Historical, economic, social, political, psychological and pharmacological determinants of drug use are considered.  Decision-making skills regarding drug use are also addressed.

 

HCSV 370 fulfills the requirements of the General Education Upper Division Theme, Contemporary Health Issues, Area D. You must have already completed 45 units in order for this course to count towards the theme. This course has a 1500 word, writing requirement, which is discussed below.  All the courses in this theme, including this one:

·        address concepts of well-being, health and disease;

·        focus attention on how class, ethnicity, and gender affect health;

·        teach methods for distinguishing hearsay from valid information;

·        develop knowledge and skills for making effective decisions that enhance health and facilitate understanding of public policy; and

·        address the impact of biology, ethics, morality, politics, economics, and culture on health, health care, and health policy

 

 

                       1/26/09           

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

HCSV 370

 

Course Objectives:

 

The student will be able to:

 

  1. Outline the history of drug use in the United States.
  2. Discuss the extent of use of licit and illicit drugs within various populations in the United States.
  3. Outline the cultural influences, including family, peers, and media, on the 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 U.S. society.
  7. Evaluate current efforts to control drug use and suggest alternative approaches.
  8. Discuss the physiological, social, and treatment aspects of alcohol and tobacco use.
  9. List the major illicit drugs, their prevalence, physiological effects, and treatment strategies.
  10. Discuss the effects of maternal drug use on the fetus.
  11. Outline the political and legal ramifications of the use of alcohol and illicit drugs including possession, workplace testing, DUI, and alcohol policies
  12. Discuss the political and legal ramifications of tobacco use, including location, restrictions, subsidies, lobbies, and government intervention.
  13. Discuss the major types of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, their use and misuse, the effects of medical advertising, and regulation.
  14. Develop decision-making skills regarding personal alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, abstinence, responsible practices, alternative activities, and positive uses of drugs.

 

 

Student Responsibilities:

 

  1. Workload: Students are expected to spend 6 hours each week of outside work load time on this class.
  2. Attendance: Regular attendance is critical for the successful completion of this course.  Attendance will be taken each week. Missing two or more classes during the course of the semester will likely affect one’s grade with the more absences the greater the consequences.  Attendance will be considered in the determination of the final grade.

 

1/26/09

 

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

HCSV 370

 

 

  1. Academic Honesty: CSU Chico Academic Honest Policy and its guidelines stated in the University Catalog will be fully adhered to in this course. Students caught cheating on quizzes or exams, plagiarizing their papers, assignments or any projects related to this course will immediately be removed

from the class and receive an F for the that assignment, test or project and be reported to Student Judicial Affairs.  This may result in getting an F in the course.

  1. Classroom Behavior:
    • classroom behavior and demeanor will be respectful and courteous; any behavior deemed disruptive by the instructor will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the classroom and/or disciplinary action per the University Catalog.
    • cell phones and all other electronic devices will be in the silent or off position during class. Non-adherence to this policy may result in the student’s removal from class.
    • No food or drinks (except for capped or sealed water) are allowed in the classroom
    • no video or audio taping without prior instructor approval is allowed

 

Assignments, Evaluation and Grading:

 

  1. Homework: Paper on How Psychoactive Drugs or Chemicals Have Affected Your Life. Provide a thorough description of how the use or misuse of drugs/chemicals either directly or indirectly has influenced your life in any way from either personal use by you, family, friends, or at work.  Due February 2, 2009. Worth 25 points when submitted on time, 5 points if submitted late, and no points after 2/9/09.
  2. Behavior Change Paper: Submit a 2-4 page reaction paper on a selected activity that you find difficult to stop, such as: smoking, drug/alcohol use, internet, TV, dating, sex, snacking, exercise, phone use, dating, fast food, pizza.  You will agree to forego this activity for at least 2 weeks and preferably one month.  Keep a daily journal of your challenges, feelings, and describe your cravings to help support your paper. Submit your reactions to this exercise, as to its affects on you, your relationships and on others during the cessation period.  What were your strategies, approaches, challenges, thoughts and feelings?  What impact did this exercise have on your attitude or thoughts about those with addictions? Due March 2, 2009.  Worth 50 points when submitted on time, 10 points if submitted late and prior to 3/9/09.

 

 

1/26/09

 

California State University, Chico

HCSV 370                                                                                                      HOVSEPIAN

 

  1. Term Paper: You may select a topic of your choice and interest that is related to the field of chemical dependency, addiction, drugs, treatment, or any area covered in class or in the text. This paper must be at least 10 pages using APA format and only scholarly references may be utilized.  The Term Paper is due April 20, 2009, and worth a maximum of 100 points when submitted on time, and a maximum of 25 points if submitted by April 27. 2009.

 

  1. Book Report: On Dying for a Drink, minimum of two pages.  Due March 30, 2009 and worth 50 points when submitted on time, and 10 points if submitted by April 6, 2009.

 

  1. Quiz: There will be 15 quizzes worth 15 points each on selected chapters (see Course Outline) given at the end of most classes.  These will include TF, multiple choice and fill-in responses.  No make-up on the quizzes, one quiz the lowest quiz score or missed quiz will be dropped.

 

  1. Exams: There will be a mid-term and final exam (see Course Outline) for assigned chapters and dates.  These exams will be worth 100 points each and will include: TF, multiple choice, fill-in and essay questions.  Review sessions will be held prior to the exams.  If you have to miss the exam for any reason, you must make arrangements with the instructor to take the make-up test BEFORE the scheduled exam, otherwise no make-ups are allowed.

 

  1. Extra Credit: Students must have prior instructor approval for any extra credit assignments. Students may earn a maximum of 25 extra credit points. Deadline to submit work is May 4, 2009.

 

      These are extra credit examples:

 

    • Book  Report: 2-3 pages in length on approved book, 10 points
    • Video/DVD Reaction Paper: 2-3 pages, 10  points
    • Professional journal/article review, 10 points
    • Individual meeting with instructor, 5 points

 

  1. All submitted assignments must be typed or word processed, double-spaced, spell-checked and grammatically correct.  Students are required to keep a copy of all submitted work until May 20, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

1/26/09

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

HCSV 370

 

 

  1. Grading/Evaluation:

 

·        15 Quizzes (15 points each)                     225 points

·        Homework: Affects of Chemicals           25 points

·        Behavior Change Paper                          50 points

·        Mid Term                                                 100 points

·        Term Paper                                              100 points

·        Final Exam                                               100 points

 

Total                                                               600 points

 

            Final grades will be assigned on the following basis:

  • 100 to 93% = A
  • 90-92%       = A-
  • 87-89%       = B+
  • 83-86%       = B
  • 80-82%       = B-
  • 77-79%       = C+
  • 73-76%       = C
  • 70-72%       = C-
  • 66-69%       =D+
  • 60-65%       =D
  • 60% and below = F

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                        1/26/09

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

 

 

HCSV 370

COURSE OUTLINE

 

                       

Date                                Preparation                                    Material/Expectations

 

 

January 26                         Chapter 1                         Course Description                                                                                        Drugs & Behavior

 

 

February 2                         Chapter 1 &2                              Drug Taking Behavior

                                                                                                Quiz 15 pts. 

Homework Assignment Due

How Chemicals Affect My Life                                            2/6/09 Last Date to Drop     without special instructor

                                                                                                permission                                                                 

 

February 9                        Chapter 3                         How Drugs Effect the Body

                                                                                                and Mind

                                                                                                 Quiz 15 pts.

 

 

February 16                         No Class                                    Legal Holiday

_________________________________________________________________________

 

February 23                     Chapter 4                                      Major Stimulants

Quiz 20 pts.

 

                                                                                                2/20/09 Census Date: no

                                                                                                Adding or dropping classes

 

                                                                       

March 2                           Chapter  4                                     Narcotics

                                                                                               Quiz 20 pts.

 

Change Paper Assignment Due

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                    1/26/09

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

 

 

 

HCSV 370

COURSE OUTLINE

 

 

 

DATE                               PREPARATION                       MATERIAL/EXPECTATION

 

March 9                            Chapters 6                                    LSD/Hallucinogens                                                                                                                         Quiz 15 pts.    

_________________________________________________________________________

 

March 16                          NO CLASS                                   SPRING RECESS

 

 

 

March 23                          Chapter 7                                      Marijuana                              

                                                                                                Quiz 15 pts.

_________________________________________________________________________

 

March 30                           Chapter 8                         Steroids

                                                                                                Quiz 15 pts

                                                                                                Review for Mid-Term

Book Report: Dying for A Drink due

                                   

 

April 6                    Chapters 1-8                                Exam Mid-Term (Chapters:

                                                                                                1-8

                                                                                                100 pts.

_________________________________________________________________________                    

April 13                             Chapters 9 & 10                          Alcohol Abuse

                                                                                                Quiz 15 pts.

_________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                   

April 20                              Chapter 11                                  Nicotine & Tobacco

                                                                                               Quiz 20 pts.     

Term Paper Assignment Due                                                                                                           

_________________________________________________________________________

 

                                                                                                                                    1/26/09

                            

California State University, Chico                                                                HOVSEPIAN

 

 

HCSV 370

COURSE OUTLINE

 

 

 

DATE                         PREPARATION                   MATERIAL/EXPECTATION

 

April 27          Chapter 12  & 13                               Caffeine & Inhalants                                                                                                 Quiz 15 pts.    

                                                                                               

 

 

May 4                         Chapter 14. 15, 16                              Prescription Drugs

                                                                                                Quiz15 pts.

 

EXTRA CREDIT DUE

                                                                                   

 

May 11                         Chapter 17 & 18                               Prevention & Treatment                                                                                                      Quiz 15 pts.

                                                                                                Final Review                         

 

 

May 18                          Chapters 9-18                                  Final Exam.; Chapters 9-18                                                                                                   100 pts.

Note; Final exam will be from 6 to 8 pm

_________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: The Instructor reserves the right to make any changes in this syllabus or the class schedule as needed.  Students are responsible for being aware of any changes in assignments if they are late or missed class time.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                    1/26/09