PSY 335A Drugs and Behavior

Course Description

Principles of action and categorical analysis of psychoactive drugs; their physiological, psychological, and societal effects; patterns and causes of their use and abuse in individuals and societies; and systems of drug education.

Paul Young, Department of Psychology

Office: Academic Building, B-324

Office hours: 9- 9:50 a.m. MWF; 2:40-3:30 p.m. TR; or by appointment

Fall Semester, 2001 at Houghton College

General objectives. To understand and be able to compare

the major categories of psychoactive drugs;
their physiological, psychological, and societal effects;
patterns and causes of their use and abuse in individuals and societies; and
systems of drug education.

Learning outcomes. At the end of this course, you should be able to

predict the likely effect on behavior of various psychoactive substances;
identify drugs by their physiological, psychological, and social effects on human beings, and
evaluate their potential for abuse.

General course arrangement.

1. Basic terminology and principles of drug action: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the pharmacopoeia. Julien chapters 1 - 3.

2. CNS depressants: Julien chapters 4 - 6.

3. CNS stimulants: Julien chapters 7 and 8.

4. Pain relief...and more: Julien chapters 9 and 10.Psychiatrically useful drugs: Julien chapters 7,8, 9, and 15.

5. Marijuana and psychedelics: Julien chapters 11 and 12.

6. Drug abuse: Julien chapters 13 and 14.

7. Psychiatric use of drugs: Julien chapters 15 - 20.

Required textbook.

Julien, R.M. (2001). A primer of drug action, 9e. New York: Worth..

Major assignments and expectations.

1. Attendance policy. Please come to all classes. I welcome your contributions to class discussion, and teaching cannot happen without students. As missed quizzes and other in-class assignments may not be replaced, perfect attendance is to your advantage.

2. Read assigned material in the textbook, and use this to contribute to class discussions. Occasional, unannounced in-class or electronic writing assignments or quizzes will draw on your reading. You must read all of the assigned material, whether it is covered in class or not. Most readings will be useful in class discussion, and all of the assigned reading will help you understand more.. 10%

3. Three content examinations

Thursday, September 27..................................15%

Monday, December 17, 1 p.m.........................25%

3. Paper or project (videotape, PowerPoint class presentation, Web site) on a topic approved by the instructor.

Estimated paper length is 20 pages, and electronic projects should demonstrate an equivalent amount of scholarship.
Submit a proposal of one page in length by September 13, which explains your topic, tells why you want to do your project on that topic, and lists the five best sources you have found so far.
The final draft of the paper or project will be due November 29, and will be marked out of 15%. Correct English usage is expected.
Use primary source material, including at least fifteen (15) journal articles. The journals may be either paper or electronic, but non-journal websites do not count toward the required 15 journal articles.
In your paper or project, show a clear explanation of the topic, including relevant research and case reports.
Suggested topics:

Any drug or small family of drugs (eg. opiate antagonists), including history of use and abuse, pharmacology, therapeutic potential, and current street status.
Issues surrounding legalization of all drugs or any category of currently illicit compounds, such as marijuana.
Targeted drug education methods.
Treatment for addiction to a family of drugs, eg. heroin.
Drug treatment of a particular mental disorder.

4. Find and read current articles in newspapers, public affairs magazines, and popular magazines. These articles must deal with statistics about drug use, opinions or policy about drug use, development of new drugs, discovery of new uses for existing drugs, or discovery of side effects of drugs. A compendium of articles, many of which are relevant to this learning activity, is available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. The compendium is updated daily.

b. Then, for each of the following due dates, choose one of the articles you have read, and do further scholarly research (books, journal articles, appropriate Web sites) to help you evaluate the article. Write a one-page critique of the claims made in the article, using your scholarly sources. Example, by Nicole Koser (2000).

ii. Due October 25

iii. Due December 6(Total value: 10%)

5. Applied project. Take your pick of one of the following. If you prefer, suggest an alternative for my approval. Complete the project, write a one page report, and submit it by November 15. 5%

b. Attend an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Alateen, or a similar 12-Step group.

c. Take a free visit at a weight loss clinic.

d. Call a drug-information hotline (but not a crisis hotline, unless you are in a crisis). Inquire about two separate drugs of abuse.

e. Design and conduct an opinion poll, using a sample of at least 100 people who are over the age of 18. Report your results clearly.

f. Explore the training and credentialing requirements to become a drug abuse counselor in your home state.