Drugs and. Society is intended as an overview of the nature of and issues related to psychoactive drug use in the United States. The first part of the course will be devoted to establishing a sociological framework for understanding drug use, a discussion of some of the drugs of abuse, their history and physiological effects. We will also talk about how drug use is measured. We will then go on to discuss common images of drug use in the United States, the social context of drug use, including the relationship between drugs and crime. Finally, societal reaction to drug use will be discussed. Additionally, several "issue areas" involving drug use in the United States will be discussed.
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Faupel, Charles E., Alan M. Horowitz and Greg S. Weaver, Sociology of American Drug Use. (2nd ed.) New York: Oxford University Press, 2010 (FHW)
Inciardi, James A. and Karen McElrath, The American Drug Scene: An Anthology. (5th ed.) New York: Oxford University Press, 2008 (IM)
First Exam..............................................30%
Second Exam.........................................30%
Final Exam.............................................35%
General Class Conduct/Discussion............5%
TOTAL...............................................100%
Grading will be straight scale: 90+=A; 80-89=B; 70-79=C; 60-69=D.
Office hours are posted at the top of this syllabus. If you need to see me at a time other than the posted hours do not hesitate to contact me. My first priority as your professor is to enhance your learning experience. You are never imposing on my time if it can contribute to your learning experience.
E-mail availability: I can be contacted by e-mail. You may use e-mail me for "nuts and bolts" type questions (e.g., scheduling, to inform me of an absence--though see the policy on class attendance and make-up work below). I do NOT respond to substantive questions by e-mail (e.g., detailed questions about material you are studying for the exam). I require that you stop by my office if you need any sort of substantive review. Normally, I respond to e-mails within one "business day." (If you e-mail me on Friday, I will usually get back to you by the following Monday.)
The policy on class attendance is simple: class attendance is required. Any number of mechanisms may, at the professor's discretion, be implemented to enforce this policy: attendance may be taken; announced or unannounced quizzes may be given; in all circumstances, if you miss class for whatever reason, it will be your responsibility as a student to acquire the information that you missed on your own.
If you must miss for whatever reason, including university-recognized excuses, it is mandatory that you inform the professor in advance of the class day that you will miss, except in those circumstances that absolutely prohibit such notification (e.g., that you were in an accident on the way to class). If you fail to notify the professor prior to a scheduled exam or due date on an assignment, you will not be allowed to make up this work or turn it in late. This policy is in effect for university-recognized excuses as well as other excuses not officially recognized by the university.
The student may contact the professor in advance in any of the following ways: (1) by phone (provided at the top of this syllabus; (2) by e-mail (provided at the top of the syllabus); or (3) in person. In all cases, it is the student's responsibility to be certain that the professor has received the message. If notification is by telephone, talk with the professor personally if at all possible, or at least emphasize to the secretary that it is extremely important that I get the message prior to the date and time of the class. In the case of e-mails, I will respond, acknowledging that I have received the e-mail. It is absolutely critical that you follow these steps if you are to be allowed to make up any missed work. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
CONTINGENCY PLAN
If normal class activities are disrupted due to a high number of students (or the professor) experiencing illness or an emergency or crisis situation (such as a widespread H1N1 flu outbreak), the syllabus and other course plans and assignments may be modified as stipulated below to allow completion of the course. Implementation of this contingency plan will be at the discretion of the professor.
1. Make-up exams will be generously allowed; however, students are still required to contact the professor in advance of scheduled exams.
2. If the professor determines that the number of students out, and the length of time they are out is excessive, exams may be based on reading materials only, which includes (a) powerpoint presentations available online; and (b) text materials.
3. Presentations may be suspended, depending on the number of students missing. In such an event, grade weight will be redistributed, with a higher weight being given to the written project.
4. Group projects will still be required, and if necessary, students will correspond and work together through e-mail, blackboard discussion, etc.
This course will be a combination of lecture, oral presentation and general discussion. Lecture material along with films will provide the basic content of the course. Ample time will be given to discussing major issues surrounding drug use in American society. During the last five weeks of class, one day per week will be devoted to debates over critical policy/social issues related to drug use.
Week 1: Common Images versus a Sociological Understanding of Drugs and Drug Use
Week 2: An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs/Measuring Drug Use
Week 3: Cultural and Career Aspects of Drug Use
Week 4: Drugs and Crime
Week 5: Drugs and Public Policy
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of Aauburn University ro provide accessibility to its programs and activities and reasonable accommodation for persons defined as having disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
If any student has a certifiable disability, he or she should contact the Program
for Students with Disabilities located in 1234 Haley Center, (334)844-2096.
All reasonable accommodations will be made for students with appropriate
documentation from the Program for Students with Disabilities.
This documentation must be presented prior to or within the first week of class.
Students may withdraw from the course without grade penalty
until the mid-term date for the semester. (Check the calendar on the university
website for the specific date.) Any withdrawal prior to this date will simply
be designated on your transcript as a "W" and will not affect your grade point
average.
POLICY ON CHEATING
Auburn University expects students to pursue their academic work with honesty and integrity. Violations of this principle may include: