COURSE
CODE:
IPA 3125
CREDITS :
3
SESSION :
Fall 2015
DESCRIPTION
COURSE
Drugs and Behavior
TITLE:
PROFESSOR(S) :
Pharmacology of behavior. Drug classification and their effect on behavior.
Experimental and therapeutic use and drug addiction. Links between neuroscience and
spirituality. Prerequisites: IPA1121 and IPA1122.
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OBJECTIVES
Caitlin Sigg, MA
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Understand the basic principles of pharmacological and neurobiological
mechanisms associated with drug use and dependence
Distinguish the different classes of drugs, including the behavioral effects and
neurophysiology
Make connections between spirituality and neuroscience, as well as spiritual
experiences and neurophysiology.
WORKLOAD
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Mandatory reading of the assigned chapters in the textbook
Mandatory reading of other assigned articles on spirituality
Participating in class discussions and activities
Research paper (short) on spirituality in relation to neuroscience
ASSESSMENT
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Participation – 10%
Midterm Examination (content from first half of course) – 30%
Research Paper – 25%
Final Examination (content from second half of course) – 35%
MANDATORY
READINGS
OTHER
READINGS
(Optional)
McKim, W. A., & Hancock, S. D. (2012). Drugs and behavior: an introduction to
behavioral pharmacology. (7th Ed.). New Jersey, NJ: Pearson.
*Additional required readings will be available online via Blackboard Learn (i.e.
individual chapters and articles from other sources).
D'Aquili, Eugene G., and Andrew B. Newberg. (1999). The Mystical Mind: Probing the
Biology of Religious Experience. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress.
Newberg, Andrew B. (2012). The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience.
Chantilly, VA: Teaching.
Runehov, Anne L. C. (2007). Sacred or Neural? The Potential of Neuroscience to Explain
Religious Experience.