INTRODUCTION TO DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR

Psychology 35 - FALL 2009

Instructor: Bill Wilson

wilsonwh@yosemite.edu

Office Hours by Appt.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course is designed to introduce you to the relationship between drugs and their psychological processes- -the study of psychopharmacology. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between drugs, their mechanisms of action in the nervous system, and the resultant behavior. You will be exposed to information that will provide a broad base of understanding and prepare you for further study in the field. Anyone interested in the relationship between drugs, the brain, cognition, emotions and behavior should find the course interesting and beneficial. During the course we will discuss a number of issues related to drug use and abuse. The course attempts to assist you to understand why people use drugs and possible consequences.

TEXT:

Hart, Carl, et. al. Drugs Society & Human Behavior, McGraw-Hill, 2009, (13th Ed.)

Reading assignments represent the best match of the text to the class lecture, discussion, and activities. Completing the reading when assigned will assist in understanding. Failure to read/study the text is likely to have negative consequences of a fairly obvious kind.

LECTURE, LABORATORY, & CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Lectures, discussion, laboratory exercises, classroom activities and textbook readings are designed to complement one another. In some cases, but not all, text material will be presented in the lecture/discussion. Frequently lecture/discussion will include information not presented in the book. If after your reading you have questions about the material, ask at prior to or after class. Lectures, discussion, laboratory and classroom activities also serve to connect information from one part of the course with material in other parts.

REQUIREMENTS

The course grade will be based on the specific requirements listed below.

Attendance: You are expected to be in attendance and on time for all class sessions. If you are absent you are responsible for anything you missed as well as the on-time completion of assignments and activities. Attendance will be taken by roll sheet, which you are responsible for signing; blanks equal absences.

Tests: There will be four tests. Tests may include material from reading assignments, lecture, discussion, laboratory exercises, videos, class activities, and outside assignments. Generally tests are not comprehensive. Each test will focus on a particular body of

information covered since the previous test. However, from time-to-time there may be exceptions, so be prepared. Absent prior consultation and instructor approval, there are no make up tests. (35 points each = 70% of course grade)

Laboratory Reports: You are responsible for submitting two laboratory reports. Each report is based on an assigned laboratory exercise. Specific requirements and guidelines for writing each report will be addressed in class. Although you will be working with a partner in the laboratory you are responsible for submitting an individual report. (10 points each = 10% of course grade)

Group Research/Presentation: Students will work in a group to summarize in writing research on a specific drug. Each group will also make a power point presentation of the research. Points will be awarded for both the written and power point portions of the assignment. (40 points = 20% of course grade)

Please Note: While this is a group assignment, grades are given on an individual basis. Each student is independently evaluated and a grade is assigned based on the quantity and quality of his/her work.

GRADING STANDARD:

The final course grade is based on the total number of points accumulated from the course requirements listed in the previous section.

Grading Scale:

A 180 – 200 pts (90-100%)

B 160 – 179 pts (80-89%)

C 140 – 159 pts (70-79%)

D 120 – 139 pts (60-69%)

F 119 pts or below

Extra Credit: There are no opportunities for extra credit.

WITHDRAWING FROM THE COURSE: If necessary, it is each student’s responsibility to officially withdraw form class. Failure to do so may result in a course grade of F.

Tape Recorders: Recording lecture/class discussion/class activities is not permitted. If you have special needs regarding this issue, please see me outside of class.

COURSE CALENDAR:

The course calendar provides a brief outline of selected reading, tests, assignments and is not exhaustive. Dates are approximations and are subject to change. Additional information regarding in-class and out-of-class assignments, reading of handouts etc. will be provided in class. Reading assignments are organized so that reading will be completed prior to class lecture /discussion on a particular topic. Please complete the reading on time. It will assist in your understanding of the material and enable you to contribute during class discussions.

Estimated minimum preparation time for each class session is three (3) hours.

The instructor reserves the right to revise any portion of this course calendar during the course. Changes will be announced in class.

Week 1: Course Introduction

Drug Terminology/

Theories of Drug Use

Drug Classification

Chapter 1 _______________________________________________________________

Week 2: Nervous System

Chapter 4

_______________________________________________________________

Week 3: Nervous System

Routes of Administration

Distribution & Navigation

Biotransformation

` Half-life-Clearance

Dosage

Team Research Reports

Chapter 3

Chapter 5

_______________________________________________________________

Week 4: Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal

Chapter 2

_______________________________________________________________

Week 5: Test #1

Mechanism of Action

Placebos

_______________________________________________________________

Week 6: Anabolic Steroids

Chapter 16

_______________________________________________________________

Week 7: Stimulants

Chapters 6 & 10

_______________________________________________________________

Week 8: Stimulants

Chapter 11

Laboratory Investigation #1

_______________________________________________________________

Week 9: Test #2

Student Presentations

(Lab Report #1 Due)

_______________________________________________________________

Week 10: Opiates

Alcohol

Chapters 13 & 9

_______________________________________________________________

Week 11: Hallucinogens

Chapter 14

Laboratory Investigation #2

_______________________________________________________________

Week 12: Test #3

Student Presentations

_______________________________________________________________

Week 13: Marijuana

Chapter 15

Sedative-Hypnotics-Anti-Anxiety Drugs

Chapter 7

_______________________________________________________________

Week 14: Inhalants (chapter 13)

Over-The-Counter Drugs

Chapter 12

Student Presentations

Psychotherapeutic Drugs

Chapter 8

_______________________________________________________________

Week 15: Drugs & Pregnancy

Prevention and Treatment (chapters 17 & 18)

_______________________________________________________________

Week 16: Test #4 (See Finals Schedule for Exact Date & Time)