Drugs and Behavior PSY354
Course Syllabus Spring 2008
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Instructor: Dr. McGovern
Phone/Voice mail: (508) 213-2247
E-Mail: Arthur.McGovern@nichols.edu
Office: Conant Hall Rm 208
Office hours: M & W, 9:30 -10:30; F, 11-12. Or by appointment.
Class website: http://www.nichols.edu/currentstudents/academicresources/faculty/armcgovern/psy354/index.html
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an undergraduate level survey of topics designed to help you understand the action of psychoactive drugs in the body, and their effect on physiological and psychological functioning. Additionally, you will learn about the nature of tolerance and dependence, drug addiction, the consequences of drug use for individual and society, and the treatment and prevention of substance-related disorders. The course will focus on both recreational and therapeutic drugs and on both illicit and licit drugs.
Prerequisite: PSY 151.
Required Text: Levinthal, C. F. (2005). Drugs, behavior, and modern society (5th Ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Develop a basic knowledge base of legal and illegal drugs.
Describe the trends of drug use in the United States.
Identify the hazards associated with drug use.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of different drug abuse prevention approaches.
Assess personal values and perceptions associated with substance use and abuse issues.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance and Participation: Attendance will be taken each class period. You are also expected to participate in the class in an active way. Success on exams and class activities will be facilitated by satisfactory class participation and completion of weekly class activities. You are responsible for obtaining any notes or assignments missed if you do not attend class meetings.
Exams: Four exams will be given during the semester. They are a combination of multiple-choice, and short answer essay questions. Makeup exams are given solely at the discretion of the instructor. If you must miss an exam due to an emergency, it is your responsibility to contact me as soon as possible. Examinations missed for inadequate reasons will be counted as zero points.
Debates: In small teams, you will address a specific topic relevant to drugs and society and argue a particular position. Debates will occur throughout the semester and thus are expected to incorporate information accumulated throughout the course, as well as research conducted by the team. Teams will be formed early in the semester. Each team will participate in 2 of the 4 debates. Each team is expected to use a minimum of 5 academic sources (not to include newspapers, magazines, internet sources, etc). On the day of the debate a reference page must be submitted, using the APA citation method.
Debate Format: Ideally, debates will challenge students to think critically about course material, and will provide a forum to develop the arts of expression that allows communication of ideas. Keep in mind that a good debate argument grounded firmly in research from academic sources NOT on the opinions of the group members! Based on research, each team should construct an argument in support of your assigned position. It is important to understand that an argument (or thesis) is a way of understanding that position. Each team should compose a persuasive speech that supports their thesis. A web page is available that describes the debating process more fully.
The oral presentation of debate materials is worth a maximum of 80 points. ALL members of the debate team, whether speaking or not, will receive the same grade for the debate presentation. In addition, to ensure equal contribution by all participants, a maximum of 20 points will be determined by fellow group members. You will 'grade' all members of your group (yourself included) out of 20 points to reflect participation in the preparation of or contribution to the debate.
Reflection Paper (RP): All students will be expected to submit a reflection paper detailing their position on the debate that was assigned. In 12-point font, double spaced, and using appropriate citation methods, the paper must directly and specifically address your own position. The reflection paper should be 4-5 pages, and is due on the date of the debate. It is worth a maximum of 50 points.
Supplemental-Reports (SR): You will be required to write 10 supplemental reports. These can be on any related topic and will consist of your own investigations on the topic beyond what we learn in the textbook. Basically, you can use the link on our class website to find out interesting facts and issues and then you will write a short (2-3 pages) on your findings. The reports will be collected when due (dates specified in the syllabus) and then returned to you. These should be saved in a supplemental portfolio along with your other work. The supplemental reports are worth a maximum of 20 points each.
Late policy: No late assignments will be accepted for full credit. Each day that an assignment is late will cost the equivalent of a letter grade for the assignment. After 3 days no assignment submissions will be accepted for any reason. Students who miss a scheduled debate for any reason will only receive a maximum of 20 of the 100 total points.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Students are reminded of, and expected to abide by, the following honor statement: "As a student of Nichols College, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my personal commitment to honor and integrity." Please refer to the following guidelines regarding what constitutes plagiarism when preparing assignments. Plagiarism is a serious offense which may result in a failing grade for the course and/or providing the violator's name to the Dean of Students for further sanctions.
Specific examples of plagiarism are:
Using without proper documentation (quotation marks and a citation) written or spoken words, phrases, sentences, statistics, graphs, or pictorial representations from any source;
Collaborating on a graded assignment without the instructor's approval;
Submitting work, either in whole or in part, created by a professional service and used without attribution (paper, speech, bibliography); and
Cheating by any method or means.
RULE OF THUMB: If it is not your original thought, cite it!
Need help? See me during office hours or visit the Academic Resource Center (ARC). The Center is located in the Conant Library.
Library hours are Sunday 6pm ÔøΩ 9pm, Monday - Thursday 9am-9pm and Friday 9am-3pm. Stop in for an appointment or call. The CenterÔøΩs services include tutoring in the areas of psychology. For more information, call 213- 2200.
ASSIGNMENT VALUES:
Examinations 1 - 4: (4 @ 100 points each) = 400 points
Debates 1 - 2: (2 @ 100 points each) = 200 points
Supplemental-Reports (SR) 1 - 10: (10 @ 20 points each) = 200 points
TOTAL = 1000 points
SEMESTER SCHEDULE
|
DATE |
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENT |
|
January |
||
|
23 |
Course Introduction |
|
|
28 |
Drugs and Behavior Ch 1 |
|
|
30 |
Drugs & the Law Ch 2 |
SR1 Due |
|
February |
||
|
4 |
Basic Pharmacology Ch 3 |
|
|
6 |
Pharmacodynamics Ch 3 |
SR2 Due |
|
11 |
|
Debate 1; RP1 Due |
|
13 |
Narcotics Ch 5 |
SR3 Due |
|
18 |
President's Day - No Classes |
|
|
20 |
EXAM 1 |
|
|
25 |
Cocaine /Amphetamines Ch 4 |
|
|
27 |
Hallucinogens Ch 6 |
SR4 Due |
|
March |
||
|
3 |
Nicotine Ch 11 |
|
|
5 |
Caffeine Ch 12 |
SR5 Due |
|
10 |
Steroids & Sports Ch 8 |
|
|
12 |
EXAM 2 |
|
|
17 |
Spring Break - No Classes |
|
|
19 |
Spring Break - No Classes |
|
|
24 |
Marijuana Ch 7 |
|
|
26 |
|
Debate 2; RP2 Due |
|
31 |
Alcohol Ch 9 |
|
|
April |
||
|
2 |
Alcohol Ch 10 |
SR6 Due |
|
7 |
Treatment Ch 17 |
|
|
9 |
Prevention Ch 18 |
SR7 Due |
|
14 |
EXAM 3 |
|
|
16 |
Psychiatric Treatment Ch 16 |
SR8 Due |
|
21 |
|
Debate 3; RP3 Due |
|
23 |
Anxiety Treatment Ch 15 |
SR9 Due |
|
28 |
ADHD Treatment Ch 4 |
|
|
30 |
|
Debate 4; RP4 Due; SR10 Due |
|
May |
||
|
TBA |
Final Exam |
|