832:350:01 Spring 2014
Drugs, Culture, & Society
Monday and Thursday: 9:15a.m. – 10:35a.m.
Cook/Douglass CDL 103
Elizabeth Amaya-Fernandez, MPH
Health Education Specialist
Email: eamayafe@echo.rutgers.edu
Office Hours: By appointment, Monday and Thursday (1:30p.m. - 3:30p.m.)
Office Location: 8 Lafayette St., New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Telephone: (848) 932-1965
Course Assistant: Andreana Barefield
Email: andreana@scarletmail.rutgers.edu
A. Description:
This course is designed to provide an understanding of drug, use, misuse, and abuse.
Students will explore the history, physical/psychological effects, current trends, and
legal/social consequences of drugs. In addition, the class will discuss prevention,
intervention, and treatment approaches. Students will have an opportunity to
discuss controversial issues related to treatment, policy, drug control, and
interventions throughout the semester. Social justice issues such as racism,
homophobia, and classism in relation to use and legal ramifications of drugs will be
examined. Realistic scenarios depicting drug use, abuse, distribution, and
transportation will be integrated into the course. Utilizing an experiential learning
approach, students will implement campaigns to address drug issues on campus.
B. Required Reading Material:
Inaba, D S., & Cohen, W.E. (2011). Uppers, Downers, All Arounders (7th
Ed). CNS Publications. ISBN #: 978-0-926544-30-7
In addition to this material there will be supplemental readings posted on SAKAI.
(http://sakai.rutgers.edu)
C. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students will:
1. Be aware of current drug trends in the United States.
2. Understand drug interactions within the body.
3. Critically think about controversial drug issues.
4. Identify effective education strategies utilized to decrease drug use, abuse, and
misuse.
5. Communicate the consequences regarding drug use, misuse, and abuse.
6. Analyze the relationship between drugs, crime, and social justice.
7. Be able to effectively implement drug prevention campaigns on campus.
8. Have the knowledge to conduct trainings as an ADAwGS (Alcohol and Drug
Awareness Generated by Students) in future semesters.
Syllabus is subject to change
D. Competencies:
1. Practice critical thinking skills.
2. Expand scientific foundation of knowledge.
3. Practice writing and oral skills.
E. Course Policies:
1. CONFIDENTIALITY – Due to the organization and focus of this course,
students in the course may share their personal experiences. This information I
s private, and should not be repeated outside of class.
2. Our academic environment is designed for learning, so remember to keep an
OPEN MIND.
3. Students requiring accommodation due to a disability (learning, physical,
emotional) must present proper documentation at the beginning of the
semester.
4. Every assignment is due on the specified date listed in the syllabus.
Assignments submitted after the due date will lose 10 points/day. NO
EXCEPTIONS!
5. This class contains an experiential learning component. Students are
expected to attend class regularly, on time, and participate actively. See
attendance policy below.
6. Students will be required to participate in activities outside the classroom. A
minimum of 5 hours outside of the class will be required.
7. Students must comply with all University standards on academic conduct.
8. LAPTOPS, TABLETS, CELL PHONES, BLACKBERRIES, etc. are not to be used
during class. Students found engaging in these activities during class time will
have points deducted from the participation portion of their grade.
9. If issues arise that impact your class attendance or work or if you have a
grade dispute, you must make an appointment to meet with the instructor in
person. These issues will not be discussed or resolved via phone or e-mail.
F. Student Responsibilities:
1. Prompt attendance.
2. Completion of assigned readings.
3. Active participation in class sessions and project activities.
4. Communication in timely manner regarding any concerns/difficulties related to
the course.
5. Frequent and regular visits to the course SAKAI site at: http://sakai.rutgers.edu.
Syllabus is subject to change
G. Instructor Responsibilities Include:
1. Respect for students as co-learners in course.
2. Adapting the course framework to needs, interests and concerns of students.
3. Availability by appointment for meetings with students; availability by phone and
e-mail.
4. Maintaining the SAKAI course website to accurately reflect the requirements of
the course.
H. SAKAI:
This class utilizes SAKAI to manage the course, its assignments, requirements,
announcements, and readings. All students are REQUIRED to log into SAKAI in order to
access these functions from the beginning of the course until the end. Important updates,
announcements and other useful information will be posted to the SAKAI site on a regular
basis. All written assignments are to be submitted through the SAKAI Assignment function,
except for journals. No hard copies will be accepted.
I. Policy on Class Attendance and Participation:
Regular attendance and class participation will be necessary for you to fully
understand the material in this class. Students are expected to arrive promptly, attend
every class, and complete reading assignments beforehand in preparation for discussion
and class activities. Moreover, there will be material covered in class that will not be in
your textbook, but will be part of an exam. Thus, attending every class can help increase
your chances of scoring well on an exam. Classes missed without a valid excuse (illness or
family emergency) will result in points deducted from the Attendance portion of your grade.
Late arrivals will also affect the attendance portion of the grade. In the event of an
emergency or illness requiring you to miss class or if you expect to miss one or two classes,
please use the University absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to
indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me. If
you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes or handouts and other updates from
a classmate, not the instructor. Assignments due on the date of a missed class are still due
and should be submitted through the SAKAI site.
J. Helpful University Resources:
At some point in the semester, you may require assistance for a variety of issues.
Following is a brief list of helpful University resources.
1. Rutgers Health Services: http://health.rutgers.edu
Medical: http://rhsmedical.rutgers.edu
Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services
(CAPS): http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu
Pharmacy: http://rhspharmacy.rutgers.edu
Health Outreach, Promotion & Education (H.O.P.E.): http://rhshope.rutgers.edu
2. Learning Centers: http://lrc.rutgers.edu/
3. Writing Centers: http://wp.rutgers.edu/tutoring/writingcenters
4. Math & science Learning Centers: http://mslc.rutgers.edu/
Syllabus is subject to change
5. Office of Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance:
http://sexualassault.rutgers.edu/
6. Office of Disabilities Services for Students: http://disabilityservices.rutgers.edu/
7. Public Safety:
RUPD: http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu/rupd/
Department of Transportation Services: http://rudots.rutgers.edu/
K. GRADING PHILOSOPHY & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Your grades are assigned following the Grading Philosophy of the Edward J.
Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy.
A: Excellent, shows initiative, synthesizes and integrates assigned material with
external sources and own thinking; 92-100%
B+: Very good work, innovative thinking or excellent integration of work of others;
88-91%
B: Exceeds minimum requirements, either shows own thinking or synthesizes and
integrates assigned material with external sources; 81 - 87%
C+: Good understanding of assigned material, but no effort to integrate own
thinking or that of others; 78 - 80%
C: Average work that meets the minimum requirements but does not show
consistent understanding of material, poor quality; 70-77%
D: Meets minimum requirements but does not show understanding of material,
poor quality; 60-69%
F: Unacceptable, does not meet minimum requirements; 0-59%
L. COURSE EVALUATION: (Out of 550 Points)
Group Project: 150 Points
Timeline, Action & Evaluation Plan:
50 Points
Group Paper: 30 Points
Peer Evaluation: 10
Overall Project: 60
Journal: 100 Points Total
1st Submission: 20 Points
2nd Submission: 20 Points
3nd Submission: 20 Points
Summary: 40 Points
Recovery Reflection Paper: 75 Points
Midterm Exam: 75 Points
Attendance: 25 Points
Final Exam: 100 Points
Class Participation: 25 Points
Syllabus is subject to change
M. Topics and Reading Assignments:
Thursday, September 4th
Topic: Introductions, Course Overview
Assignments: Choose Track Groups
Monday, September 8th
Topic: Psychoactive Drugs
Reading: Chapter 1 Pages 1.3 to 1.39
Assignments: Last Chance to Choose Track Groups
Thursday, September 11th
Topic: Hereditary, Environment and Psychoactive Drugs
Reading: Chapter 2 Pages 2.3-2.25
Monday, September 15th
Topic: Hereditary, Environment and Psychoactive Drugs
Reading: Chapter 2 Pages 2.25-2.45
Thursday, September 18th
Topic: Substance Abuse Spectrum
Reading:
Assignment: Timeline, Action & Evaluation Plan
Saturday, September 20th
New Jersey Statewide Recovery Rally
Rutgers Athletic Center
2:30 p.m.: Screening of The Anonymous People
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Rally
***Free to the Public***
Monday, September 22nd
Topic: Uppers
Reading: Chapter 3 Pages 3.2-3.20
Assignment: Journal 1
Thursday, September 25th
Topic: Uppers
Reading: Chapter 3 Pages 3.20-3.40
Monday, September 29th
Topic: Tobacco
Reading: Chapter 3 Pages 3.40-3.55
Thursday, October 2nd
Topic: Uppers/Prescription Drugs
Monday, October 6th
Topic: Downers
Reading: Chapter 4 Pages 4.2-4.29 and Good Kids and Heroin
Syllabus is subject to change
Thursday, October 9th
Topic: Downers
Readings: Chapter 4 Pages 4.29-4.41 and Sex, Drugs, and HIV
Monday, October 13th
Topic: Alcohol
Reading: Chapter 5
Thursday, October 16th
MIDTERM
Monday, October 20th
Topic: All-Arounders
Reading: Chapter 6 Pages 6.2-6.22
Thursday, October 23rd
Topic: All-Arounders
Reading: Chapter 6 Pages 6.22-6.40
Monday, October 27th
Topic: Other Drugs, Other Addictions
Reading: Chapter 7 Pages 7.2-7.11, and 7.30-7.37
Assignments: Journal 2
Thursday, October 30th
Topic: Other Drugs, Other Addictions
Reading: Chapter 7 Pages 7.37-7.58 and Heavy Use of Facebook
Monday, November 3rd
Topic: Behavioral Addictions
Reading: Do I Contribute to Another’s ED?
Thursday, November 6th
Topic: Drug Use and Prevention
Reading: Chapter 8 Pages 8.18-8.60
Assignments: Recovery Reflection Paper
Monday, November 10th
Topic: Drug Use and Prevention
Reading: Chapter 6 Pages 6.22-6.40
Thursday, November13th
Topic: Recovery and Treatment
Reading: Chapter 9 Pages 9.2-9.11
Monday, November 17th
Topic: Recovery and Treatment
Reading: Chapter 9 Pages 9.11-9.69
Syllabus is subject to change
Thursday, November 20th
Topic: Policy
Reading: National Drug Control Strategy
Assignments: Journal 3 & Summary
Monday, November 24th
Guest Speaker
Tuesday, November 25th (Thursday Classes)
Flex Day in Case of Class Cancellation
Monday, December 1st
Guest Speaker
Thursday, December 4th
Topic: Evaluation of Alcohol and Drug Programming
Assignments: Group Paper & Peer Evaluation
Monday, December 8th
Topic: Final Exam Review
N. Course Requirements:
The course will be a process in which the goal is to stimulate your thinking through
readings, experiential exercises and through the interchange of ideas. Students are expected to:
1. READINGS –Complete readings before class. The textbook chapters should be
read by the date of the assigned reading. Supplemental readings posted on Sakai
will also be required for certain topics.
2. CLASS PARTICIPATION – Participate fully by asking questions & providing
appropriate comments/opinions.
3. JOURNAL – (60 points) Every student is to keep a daily record of his or her drug
use (caffeine, nicotine, OTC/prescription medications, supplements, legal, and
illegal). These journals are for honest reflection and reporting of actual/personal
drug intake. They will be kept CONFIDENTIAL. Information for each entry should
include: day/time of use, substance, quantity, and comments about context of use.
Each journal submission is worth 20 points each. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE
ACCEPTED!
3. RECOVERY RALLY & TWELVE-STEP OPEN MEETING – Each student must
attend the New Jersey Statewide Recovery Rally on September 20th, 2014 at the
Rutgers Athletic Center on Livingston Campus, as well as, an open 12-Step meeting
(such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, etc.). At the rally students
must also sign in and out at the HOPE Exhibitor Table in order to gain full credit. IF
A STUDENT CANNOT ATTEND THE RECOVERY RALLY then it is up to the student
to attend and observe TWO open 12-step meetings.
4. RECOVERY REFLECTION PAPER – (75 Points) Each student is responsible for
writing a paper with a maximum of 4 pages double spaced based on their
Syllabus is subject to change
reflection/experience at the 12-step meeting(s) they attended AND the Recovery
Rally. The paper should be a reflection that describes your experience and how that
experience relates to course materials.
5. Alcohol and Other Drug Programming: GROUP PROJECT – (150 Points)
This class will be divided into educational tracks: alcohol, prescription drugs, tobacco,
marijuana and other illegal drugs. Each track will be responsible for implementing an
educational campaign on campus. This will be an experiential learning experience,
meaning that you will learn and apply concepts as student health leaders on campus.
You will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the specific tasks for each track
during certain class periods. Students will be graded as a group with the exception of the
peer evaluation. Students must schedule to meet with Andreana in order to receive
materials from H.O.P.E.
6. EXAMS – Exams will consist of short answers and essays.
7. EXTRA CREDIT – Throughout the semester there may be extra credit opportunities,
extra credit assignments should be submitted on SAKAI.
O. Journal Description:
At the end of the semester, students will write a maximum of 3 pages, double-spaced
summary of their substance use for the semester. The summary should address the following
questions: (60 points)
1. What patterns have you found regarding your use?
2. Is your use different on the weekends compared to weekdays?
3. Does your use change when you break your routine, over a vacation, or with different
people?
4. How is your use affected by stress, illness, mood, or peer influence?
5. How was your use affected by the course of simply monitoring it?
6. What conclusions have you reached regarding your relationship with drugs?
P. Track Group Descriptions:
ALCOHOL I
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students on alcohol and the
consequences of dangerous drinking.
Alcohol Track I will group table on September 29th at the Busch Campus
Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. during the HOPE Wellness Tabling Event.
ALCOHOL II
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students on alcohol and the
consequences of dangerous drinking.
Alcohol Track II will group table on October 2nd at the (TBA) from 10 p.m.
– 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
Syllabus is subject to change
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Prescription Drugs Track I will table on October 27th the Douglass
Campus Center from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. during the HOPE Wellness Tabling
Event.
CLUB DRUGS
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Prescription Drug Track II will table on October 2nd at the (TBA) from 10
p.m. – 1 a.m. during the Freaky First event.
TOBACCO I
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students that include
hookah use along with cigarettes.
Tobacco Track I will table on November 6th at the (TBA) from 10 p.m. – 1
a.m. during the Freaky First Event.
TOBACCO II
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students that include
hookah use along with cigarettes.
Tobacco Track II will table on November 18th at the Douglass Campus
Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. during the HOPE Wellness Tabling Event.
MARIJUANA
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Marijuana Track will table on December 4th at the (TBA) from 10 p.m. – 1
a.m. during the Freaky First Event.
OTHER ILLEGAL DRUGS
Create an interactive educational display/booth for students.
Illegal Drugs Track will table on December 4th at the (TBA) from 10 p.m. – 1
a.m. during the Freaky First Event.
Q. Track Meetings Description: See supplemental materials on Sakai for detailed
description
Track Meeting 1: Devise a timeline, action and evaluation plan 50 points
Group Paper: 30 points
Peer Evaluation (only individual grade): 10 points
Overall Project : 60 points
R. Track Assignment Descriptions:
1. Timeline: Your timeline is a record of events including tentative dates (events should
occur during the months of September to December. It should include the
following components:
 Event
 Location/time/date of event
 Who is responsible for what
 When certain supplies will be gathered
Syllabus is subject to change
2. Action Plan: Your action plan is the process you will use to implement activities. It
should include the following components:
 Purpose of event
 Target audience
 Specific steps utilized to implement each event such as contacts
that were made, materials needed, activities, and potential
challenges
 How you will evaluate the effectiveness of the event? This should
include # of people present, participant reactions, knowledge
acquired and level of interest
3. Paper: This group paper should be 3 - 5 pages doubled spaced. This final paper must
include a summary, description and analysis of all group events. The analysis
should include summative data from the evaluation. Also, include what your
group has learned from your experiences and recommendations for future
programming. You will be graded on content, style organization of ideas, clarity,
and insight.
S. Academic Misconduct: A Bloustein School Perspective:
Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, failure to cite sources, fabrication and
falsification, stealing ideas, and deliberate slanting of research designs to achieve a pre-conceived
result. We talk about misconduct and ethical behavior in classes and expectations are set forth in
student handbooks and catalogues. For example, it is presented on pages 545-547 in the New
Brunswick Undergraduate Catalogue for the years 2003 through 2005 and on pages 16-18 of the
Edward J. Bloustein catalogue for the years 2003 through 2005. We are not repeating that
material here. Note, however, that penalties for misconduct can range from failing an
assignment/exam or dismissal from the university. The Bloustein School is appending this
memorandum to your course syllabus because we recently have detected obvious cases of
plagiarism. We have found far fewer cases of other forms of academic misconduct, but we find
several every year. It is imperative that you understand that unethical academic conduct is
intolerable, and it is completely preventable.
Academic misconduct almost always happens for two reasons. One is ignorance of
academic rules and practices. For example, in virtually every recent plagiarism case in the School,
material has been taken from an Internet site and placed in text without appropriate note or
attribution. You must learn the proper rules for attribution. If you are not sure, ask your
instructor! If you do not know the rules that govern the use of data sets, attribution, analysis and
reporting of these sets, the faculty will help you. There is no such thing as a stupid question
regarding this subject. Pressure is the second common reason for academic misconduct. Students,
faculty, every one of us are subject to deadline, financial, self-worth, peer, and other pressures. If
you are potentially allowing pressure to drive you to misconduct, please step back and resist that
urge. You can cope with pressure in a positive way by reaching out to friends, counselors, and
faculty members. Within the Bloustein School community, you will find understanding people and
positive direction. The Bloustein School plays an important role in the planning and public policy
agenda. Our work and our students must be above reproach.
Syllabus is subject to change