What a Long, Strange Trip: Drug Abuse Across Time

First Year Studies 129: Freshman Seminar

Fall 2009

131 Haslam Business Building

Tuesdays 9:40 – 10:55

Course Description: Why do we use and abuse drugs? In this course we will examine the history of drug abuse across time and cultures. We will explore the intertwined roles of technology, commerce, culture, media, biology, and pharmacology driving the use and abuse of mind altering substances. The intention of the course is for students to develop a broader frame of reference through which to understand present day individual, group, and social problems associated with drugs of abuse.

Honor Statement: An essential feature of The University of Tennessee is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the University, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity. (Hilltopics, 2009).

Disability: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability or if you have emergency information to share, please contact the University of Tennessee Office of Disability Services at 2227 Dunford Hall (865) 974-6087. This will ensure that you are properly registered for services.

Course Requirements:

1. Show up, Pay attention, Speak your truth, Consider the truth of other points of view.

2. With a partner in the class, select a topic for one of the weeks in the semester. Together you will lead the discussion of the readings for the week. The quality of the presentation and discussion will be rated by the members of the class in attendance.

Grade policy: Your S/NC (satisfactory/no credit) grade will be based on class attendance and participation. Your ability to positively participate and contribute to the class discussion will be dramatically improved by reading the assigned chapter or article before class each week. You are allowed one missed class (no questions asked). For each subsequent missed class, you must turn in a two-page summary of the overall assignment for the class in question by the end of that week.

Ground Rules: Turn off cell phones and close labtops before class starts.

Schedule:

*Recommended reading