COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, students
should be able to:
·
Describe the
health risks inherent in using and abusing drugs
·
Describe
important strategies currently used to prevent drug abuse
·
Describe some
important treatment modalities
·
Understand the
dynamics of intervention, treatment, and recovery
·
Describe the
role and recent contributions of the legal/law enforcement
system
·
Articulate in
writing thoughts and feelings related to drug use and abuse
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Required Readings: As assigned
·
Text:
Drugs Across the Spectrum (4th ed.).
Raymond Goldberg.
Morton, 2003.
Supplemental Readings:
·
The
National Drug Control Strategy (ONDCP)
(available at
www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov)
Assignments:
·
Personal
Drug Philosophy Paper: The drug philosophy is a statement
about your personal “relationship” with alcohol, tobacco,
medications, illicit drugs, and (as applicable) to others
who use drugs. The purpose is to encourage critical
thinking about your drug-related values and how your values
influence your behavior. Your philosophy should address EACH
of the following:
A.
Whether you choose to use any of the above drugs
(why or why not?).
B.
What guidelines or rules, if any, you have for your
own use.
C.
How you relate to others whose choices differ from
your own.
D.
A description of people or events that influenced
your philosophy.
E.
How you would confront a friend or family member
whose drug-using behavior concerned you.
Your philosophy should be
based on accurate information about the substance or
substances to which you refer, rather than myth, hysteria,
or illogical bias. Due to its private nature, this
paper will be graded blindly. Brief segments of selected
papers will be presented to the class without identifying
information to facilitate class discussion. The cover sheet
should be the only page with student identifying
information. Successive sheets should contain the last
six digits of your ID number (ex: 45-6789 if your ID number
is 123-45-6789. Paper length: 3 pg. minimum and 5 pg.
maximum, typed and double-spaced, and stapled. Due: Sept 20.
·
Course
Project:
Specific details about
the course project will be provided on a separate handout
and on the class web site. Up to four individuals (224
course only) may work together on a project relating to some
element of the substance abuse/addiction issue. A
one-page description of the proposed project to include the
names and signatures of all participants, and the format the
project will take, will be due on Oct. 18.
This sheet can be downloaded from the course website and
must be attached to the final submission. Projects
due: Nov. 22.
·
Midterm and Final Exams:
The midterm and final examinations will be multiple choice
tests. A review for each will be held in the class prior to
each exam. Students should bring two #2 pencils to each of
these exercises. The midterm will be on Oct. 25 and the
final will be on Dec. 13, during the usual class meeting
time.
·
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance is expected for the full class, and participation
is highly encouraged. Our guest speakers are giving
their time and expertise to facilitate student learning.
Please treat them with courtesy and respect. Most will offer
an opportunity for a question/answer period. Please
take advantage of this as it can only help your learning
(and your participation grade).
Additional Criteria:
A brief
reaction paper will be required at the conclusion of each
class relating to a topic covered that evening, or another
topic of the instructor’s choosing. Papers should be neat,
appropriate, thoughtfully composed, and include the writer’s
name clearly written. These will be used both for attendance
purposes and for extra credit as warranted. All students are
required to complete the course evaluation at the end of the
semester. Completion of this will be assessed on the final
exam.
One
unexcused absence will be permitted. Each
additional unexcused absence will result in up to a letter
grade reduction in the participation grade for the course.
If you will be unable to make class due to illness, family
emergency, required athletic participation, unavoidable
travel, etc., please e-mail the instructor, prior to
your absence if possible.
Class Norms: Due
to the large class size, students are requested to comply
with the following class norms. Please turn off cell phones
and pagers during class, unless you have a personal
emergency. Please be respectful of both your fellow students
and of class speakers, particularly visitors. Sleeping in
class is never appropriate, particularly when there is a
guest speaker. Please take all trash, newspapers, and extra
handouts from your seating area at the end of the class
period. Please move to the center so that those arriving
late can find a seat on the end of a row. Please do not sit
on the floor at any time.
Violation of these norms will result in a lowering of the
participation grade.
Anonymous Feedback:
The anonymous feedback feature of the Toolkit system will be
activated. Comments are welcome, but should be
constructive, relevant, and appropriate in tone. This
means of communication is provided for ease of student
communication (as well as anonymity), but is no substitute
for personal meetings with the instructor or teaching
assistants.
Electronic Mail:
Messages to the class may be sent periodically, and students
are advised to check e-mail for updates such as schedule
changes, etc. It is your responsibility to inform the
instructor or graduate assistant if you use an e-mail
account other than your UVA account or to change it using
the toolkit system.
Extra Credit:
Opportunities for extra credit will be presented during the
course of the semester. Generally, attending an outside
presentation relevant to the course topic and writing a
one-page reaction paper will qualify. Particular topics or
presentations should be brought to the attention of the
instructor prior to their occurrence. Up to two extra
credit activities per semester are permitted.
Miscellaneous:
Your instructor and his family enjoy attending events in
which you participate. Please feel free to pass on
information/schedules of sports, plays, performances, etc.,
including whether young children (and faculty) are welcome.
Please include time, date, and location.
