SYLLABUS
CCJ4934: DRUGS and ALCOHOL in Society
Ronald L. Akers
Fall 2006 Period 2 MWF Section 7237
Fine Arts C 120
Course Objectives
The course is designed to gain knowledge of
sociological and related perspectives, research, and policy on
drug and alcohol use and abuse in society. Although, the
legitimate use of legal substances (alcohol, tobacco, prescription
medications) in society will be included, the course will focus on
criminal, illegal, and deviant drug and alcohol behavior, problems, and
abuse. The objectives are to gain an understanding of the
facts, knowledge, explanation, differing views, and other issues
related to the nature, distribution, and trends of substance use and
abuse, theory and research on drug and alcohol behavior, and the
nature, usefulness and effectiveness of law, policies, and
programs for control, prevention, and treatment of alcohol and
drug problems.
Examinations
There will be three exams. The first exam is
tentatively scheduled for Sept. 29 during class time and the second for
Nov. 3 during class time. The third exam is the final examination
for the course and will be given during the time scheduled
for Period 2 MWF, Exam Group 14E Thursday Dec. 14 at 5:30
pm.
The examinations will not be cumulative; only
material covered since the first exam will be on the second exam, and
only materials covered since the second exam will be included on the
final exam (thus, the final exam will not be comprehensive covering the
entire course).
The examinations will include true-false and
multiple choice questions, and may, at the instructor’s discretion,
also include essay questions. The nature of the exam and
the materials to be covered will be announced and reviewed in a
class period prior to the date of the exam. Each student is
responsible for bringing to the exam at least one #2 lead pencil for
marking exam answer sheets. If it is announced that the exam will
include essay questions, each student is responsible for also bringing
a "blue book" essay booklet (available at UF Bookstore and other
bookstores).
Course Grade
The course grade will be assigned on the sum
total of points each student scores on all three exams. The grade
of A will be assigned for the sum of these scores equal to or greater
than 90% of the total possible points adding all the exams together.
The grade of B+ will be assigned for 85%, B for 80%, C+ for 75%, C for
70%, D+ for 65%, D for 60%, and E for less than 60%.
Academic Honesty
Academic honestly is assumed. All
students are encouraged to make it a matter of pride and conscience not
to cheat in any way on exams or in fulfilling course requirements,
neither seeking assistance nor assisting another student to
cheat. The Honor Code of the Student Body Statutes, endorsed by
the University Senate reads: “We, the members of the University of
Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the
highest standards of honesty and integrity.” Your continued enrollment
in this class is an expressed endorsement of this policy. In addition,
the following statement will be inserted for your required signature on
examinations: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received
unauthorized aid on this examination." There are procedures for
sanctioning academic dishonesty including referral to the student honor
court.
Interaction with Instructor in and Outside of Class:
I encourage class participation and discussion
within the limits of the size of the class . Questions in class are
welcomed and will be responded to reasonably. During class time I
may call upon students to respond to questions and ask for questions
from students. I may also ask for summaries, reactions, or analysis of
assigned readings during class time. Also, I and my teaching
assistant for this course are available and accessible for advising on
the class or any academic issue related to your major, progress, and
career goals. If you have individual questions or need assistance
with regard to any class or reading materials, or need advice, you may
see me or the TA during office hours or by appointment if you are
unable to come to the office during those times.
Professor’s Office, Hours, Web Page and Internet
Interaction
My office is 201G Walker, and I shall hold office
hours 9:30am to 10:30am MWF.
My email address is rla@crim.ufl.edu, and my
homepage website may be found at
http://web.crim.ufl.edu/fculty/ra/index.html
Teaching Assistant’s Office Hours
The teaching assistant for this class is Mr. David Khey. His email
is dkhey@ufl.edu.
His office is 214 Walker and his office horus are 11:00am-12:00 non T/Th
WebCT
There is a WebCT component for this course. The login page for
this is:http://lss.at.ufl.edu
Required Texts
Erich Goode, Drugs in American Society. Sixth Edition. Boston:
McGraw-Hill, 2005. Isbn 0-07-287498-8 Softcover
James A. Incardi and Karen McElrath, eds., The American Drug
Scene. Fourth Edition, 2005. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing,
2005. ISBN: 1-931719-08-X Softcover.
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
I. Introduction and Overview
A. Problems of Drugs and Alcohol in Society
B. Theories and Explanation of Alcohol and Drug
Behavior
C. Social Norms and Attitudes Toward Alcohol
and Drugs
D. Law, Control, Prevention, and Treatment
Reading Assignments for I
Goode: Ch. 4
II. Basic Concepts, Types, and Effects of Drugs
A. Concepts of Drug and Alcohol Behavior
1. What is a
drug?
2. Deviant drug
use and abuse
3. Habituation
and addiction
B. Principal Types and Effects of Drugs
Reading Assignments for II
Goode: Ch. 1; Ch. 2
Inciardi and McElrath, pp. xv-xviii; 3. J. L. Goode
III. Explanations of Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse
A. Biological Theories
B. Personality Theories
C. Sociological and Social Psychological
Theories
Reading Assignments for III
Goode: Ch. 3
Inciardi and McElrath: 1. Weil; 2. Lindesmith; 4. Hirsch, Conforti, and
Graney
IV. Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Drugs in American Society
A. Historical and Contemporary
Trends in Prevalence and Patterns of Substance Use and Abuse in
American Society
B. Social Characteristics of Users
C. Special Problems and Populations
Reading Assignments for IV
Goode: Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7
V. Use and Abuse of Legal of Substances
A. Alcohol
B. Tobacco
C. Psychotherapeutic Drugs
Reading Assignments for VI
Goode: Ch. 8
Inciardi and McElrath: 7. Siegal and Inciardi; 9. Wechsler, Lee, Kuo,
and Lee; 10. Nichter
VI. Marijuana, Hallucinogens, and Other Drugs
Reading Assignments for VII
Goode: Ch. 9
Inciardi and McElrath: 11. Anslinger and Cooper; 12. Grinspoon; 13.
Elwood; 26. Saum, Mott, and Dietz; 27. Mattison, Ross, Wolfson,
Franklin and HNRC; 28. Lankenau and Clatts
VII. Stimulants: Cocaine and Amphetamines
Reading Assignments for VII
Goode: Ch. 10
Inciardi and McElrath: 20. Musto; 23. Miller; 24. Jenkins
VIII. Heroin and Opiates
Reading Assignments for VIII
Goode: Ch. 11
Inciardi and McElrath: 16. Inciardi and Goode; 17. Preble and Casey;
18. Pierce
IX. Drugs, Crime, and Illicit Drug Industry
Reading Assignments for IX
Goode: Ch. 12, Ch. 13
Inciardi and McElrath: 30. Nurco, Kinlock, and Hanlon; 31. Inciardi and
Pottieger
X. Public Policy, Criminal Justice, and Programs on Illegal Drugs
A. Control of Demand and Supply
B. Laws and Law Enforcement
C. Decriminalization and Legalization
D. Harm Reduction
E. Drug Treatment, Prevention, and Education
Reading Assignments for X
Goode: Ch. 14, Ch. 15
Inciardi and McElrath: 19. Broadhead, Hulst, and Heckathorn; 34.
Rosenbaum; 35. National Institute on Drug Abuse; 38. Nadelmann; 40.
Inciardi; 41. Wilson
XI. Social Control, Law, and Public Policy on Alcohol and Tobacco
A. Regulation of Sale and Distribution
B. Law, Alcohol, and Criminal Justice
System
C. Alcohol Prevention and Treatment
Programs
D. Stopping and Preventing Smoking
Reading assignments for XI
TBA
XII. The Future of Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse in American Society: What
Do We Know and What Can We Do?
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