University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Curriculum Proposal Form #3
New Course
Effective Term:
Subject Area - Course Number:SOCIOLOGY 377Cross-listing:Criminology
(See Note #1 below)
Course Title:(Limited to 65 characters)Drugs, Crime, and Law
25-Character Abbreviation: Drugs, Crime, Law
Sponsor(s): Dr. Patrick K. O'Brien
Department(s):Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology
College(s):
Consultation took place:NA Yes (list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments: Political Science and Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health
Programs Affected:
Is paperwork complete for those programs? (Use "Form 2" for Catalog & Academic Report updates)
NA Yeswill be at future meeting
Prerequisites:SOCIOLOGY 276 OR CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR
Grade Basis:Conventional LetterS/NC or Pass/Fail
Course will be offered:Part of Load Above Load
On CampusOff Campus - Location
College:Dept/Area(s):Sociology, Crim., and Anth
Instructor:Patrick K. O'Brien
Note: If the course is dual-listed, instructor must be a member of Grad Faculty.
Check if the Course is to Meet Any of the Following:
Technological Literacy Requirement Writing Requirement
Diversity General Education Option:
Note: For the Gen Ed option, the proposal should address how this course relates to specific core courses, meets the goals of General Education in providing breadth, and incorporates scholarship in the appropriate field relating to women and gender.
Credit/Contact Hours: (per semester)
Total lab hours:0Total lecture hours:48
Number of credits:3Total contact hours:48
Can course be taken more than once for credit? (Repeatability)
No Yes If "Yes", answer the following questions:
No of times in major:No of credits in major:
No of times in degree:No of credits in degree:
Revised 10/021 of 16
Proposal Information:(Procedures for form #3)
Course justification:
The United States has the harshest and most draconian drug laws in the Western world and incarcerates more of its citizens than any other country, mainly for drug related offenses. The laws pertaining to drugs are rarely based upon science, but rather on citizens’ fear of crime and drug users, propaganda, politics, and economic scapegoating. In its inception, the War on Drugs was meant to combat dangerous drugs and curb drug abuse. Yet, 40 years later the latent consequences of this war have been devastating for U.S. society. Through mandatory minimums, “three-strikes” laws, and the felonization of addiction, the Drug War has perpetuated mass incarceration, socialdegradation, and a permanent underclass of citizens. Currently, the U.S. is witnessing significant changes in drug war policies such as the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, the increasing legalization of medical marijuana across the U.S., the reduction in federal crack cocaine penalties, and the federal mandate to reduce prison overcrowding in California (mainly due to drug convictions). Furthermore, this year was the first in U.S. history that the majority of Americans (58%) supported the legalization of marijuana. This course will equip students with crucial knowledge and understanding into the intersection of drugs, crime, and law to be informed voters, criminal justice employees, lawyers, politicians, and teachers amidst the current and changing U.S. climate concerning drug policies. Finally, this course will also attend to LEAP essential learning outcomes in four ways: 1) Fosterinquiry and analysis skills through the examinationof empirical research about drugs, crime, and associated laws. 2) Enhancedepth of critical thinking through reading, discussion, debate, and writing of timely and historical issues. 3) Broaden ethical reasoning through the examination of the application of punitive drug laws in relation to race/ethnicity, class, SES, and status. 4) Develop problem solving skills through the exploration of solutions and strategies to combat drug abuse and crime.
Relationship to program assessment objectives:
The implementation of this course supports eight assessment objectives for the criminology and sociology major.
The implementation of this course supports objective #1for the criminology major (Identify different sources of US crime data and the trends and social patterns of criminality and victimization they reveal) by offering studentscurrent trends in drug use patterns, crime patterns, and explaining these trends.
The implementation of this course supports objective #1 for the sociology major (demonstrate an understanding of sociology’s theoretical perspectives and core ideas including: the social construction of reality, culture and social structure, stratification and inequality, and order, conflict and change) as it examines the social construction of drug laws versus science, analyzes cultural and structural determinates of drugs and crime, investigates the impact of stratification and inequality on drug addiction, abuse, and victimization, and explores order, conflict, and change in relation to history, economics, discrimination, and drug laws.
Second, the implementation of this course supports objective #4for the criminology major (demonstrate analytical reasoning skills through a familiarity with criminological theory and research as applied to crime prevention and control policies) as it offers students theoretical perspectives on regulation and control, decriminalization, prohibition, and harm reduction strategies as applied to drug abuse prevention and drug control policies.
Third, the implementation of this course supports objective #5 for the criminology major (identify causes of criminality and victimization for people of different class, racial-ethnic, gender, and age groups, as well as the different criminal justice responses to these groups) by explaining variations in drug use patterns across class, race, SES, education, age, gender, etc.
Fourth, the implementation of this course supports objective #6 for the criminology major (identify the key stages of the criminal justice system and the organizational processes and discretionary-making that occur at each stage) by examining the drug users that are arrested, adjudicated, and incarcerated and the drug users that are weeded out of the criminal justice system.
Fifth, the implementation of this course supports objective #7 for the criminology major (demonstrate knowledge of constitutional law as it relates to the operation of the criminal justice system) by examining the array of drug laws in our society.
Sixth, the implementation of this course supports objective #13 and #6 for the sociology and criminology major (demonstrate ethical reasoning) by analyzing the ethical ramifications of the current drug laws in society.
Budgetary impact: The implementation of this course will not have an adverse budgetary impact. This course will become part of Dr.O'Brien's regular rotation of courses.
Course description:(50 word limit)
This course examines the intersection of drugs, crime and the law in U.S. Society. The course utilizes the social constructionist perspective as it pertains to both legal and illegal drugs. Through the use of the constructionist perspective, this class will explore how believed truths and realities about drugs are often socially created, how the laws and the control of drugs has been constructed and maintained, how culture and history influence perceptions of drugs and crime, and how societal norms, values, and ideas concerning drugs are created and perpetuated.
Course Objectives and tentative course syllabus with mandatory information(paste syllabus below):
Drugs, Crime, and Law
Fall 2014
Sociology 377
Prerequisite: Sociology 276
Class Syllabus
Instructor: Patrick K. O’Brien
Email:
Office: 2117 Laurentide Hall
Office Hours: Appointment WIKI page.
Click for Appointment:
Additional Course Information: Available through D2L.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Adler, Patricia A., Peter Adler, and Patrick K. O'Brien. 2012. Drugs and the American Dream: An Anthology. Wiley Blackwell.
**Listed as DAD in reading schedule
Additional readings will be available on D2L or handed out in class. You are responsible for obtaining these readings.
______
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the sociology of drugs in our society. Specifically, we will be discussing the social constructionist perspective as it pertains to legal and illegal drugs in the United States. Through the use of the constructionist perspective, we will explore how believed truths and realities about drugs are often socially created, how the social order and the control of drugs has been constructed and maintained, how culture and history influence perceptions of drugs, and how societal norms, values, and ideas concerning drugs are created and perpetuated.
The world of drugs is complicated and complex. The ingestion of chemicals for purposes of altering consciousness has been practiced in virtually all human cultures and in all epochs of history. Sometimes this has resulted in problems, sometimes not, depending on how a society defines and deals with drug use and on how well it takes care of its citizens.
The first objective is to explore the social, cultural, political and economic processes that shape our understanding of and policies toward drugs. A second objective is to provide an historical and theoretical grasp of the social causes and consequences of the use and abuse of consciousness-altering substances. Third, the course attempts to stimulate critical thinking about policies that can reduce the harms associated with drug use and those associated with drug policy.
Classes will include informal lectures and discussions. Lectures will integrate course readings and incorporate other material to present additional information. Discussions will help you learn to think sociologically and to deal critically with course materials. For us all to learn as much as possible from the course, regular class attendance and timely completion of reading assignments are essential. Ultimately what you get out of this course depends on what you put into it. The requirements for the course are designed to help you learn as much as possible and, especially, to help you learn to think sociologically about drugs, crime, and the law.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Examine the current and historical cultural patterns of drug use in U.S. society. The emphasis will be on providing a theoretical understanding of the initiation, use, and misuse of psychoactive substances.
2. Critically examine the structural and culturalfactors that influence drug use, abuse, and addiction.
3. Investigate the complex relationship between drugs and crime.
4. Understand the latent and manifest consequences of polices of criminalization and prohibition. Develop the ability to critically reevaluate these polices and look to new solutions for the problem of drug abuse.
5. Investigate the social construction of drugs as a social problem. How are drugs defined as social problems and made salient in the public imagination? How does society choose which drugs to treat as social problems?
6. Study the laws and public policies intended to solve the social problem of drugs. What are the intended versus the real life effects of current laws and policies intended to curb drug use among the population?
7. Review the many treatment and prevention approaches currently used in society. What are the treatment and prevention strategies used today?
COURSE POLICIES/REQUIREMENTS:
Course Meetings: Please arrive to class on time, and remain for the entire class, do not begin packing up until after I have dismissed the class. If you have a conflict that requires you to arrive late or leave early, please inform me beforehand. Please turn off all cell phones. Please refrain from any disruptive behavior such as reading newspapers, doing other homework, engaging in side conversations, or sleeping. DO NOT SURF THE INTERNET, CHECK FACEBOOK, CHECK EMAIL, OR DO OTHER HOMEWORK. YOU WILL LOSE LAPTOP PRIVELEGES IN CLASS.
Readings: You are required to complete all assigned readings and reading notesbeforeclass meets. The schedule of readings is available on D2L. Additional readings not found in the text can be found on D2L or will be handed out in class.
Exams: There will be three exams in this course. Dates for exams can be found on the course schedule and the syllabus. Exams will consist of some combination of multiple choice and essay. The specifics of the exams will be discussed in detail as the course progresses. ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. Please check the exam schedule and NOTIFY ME IN ADVANCE of any conflicts you may have. The exams will cover each section of the course and will not be cumulative.Though the final exam will not be cumulative, you should still be able to apply and understand material from previous sections of the course.
Attendance and Participation: You are required to attend and participate in all classes. I caution you that success in this class largely depends on your consistent effort and presence. It is my goal to create an environment where all members of the class feel comfortable sharing their ideas and thoughts. In order for this to be achieved it is crucial that all students behave in a respectful manner towards one another. Insensitive comments based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, ideas or beliefs will absolutely not be tolerated.
University Policies:The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes; the “Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Undergraduate Catalog; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog; and the “Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the “Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).
“The UW System standard for work required per credit is that students are expected to invest at least 3-credit hours of combined in-class and out-of-class work per week for each academic unit (credit) of coursework; thus, a 3-credit course will typically require a minimum of 9 hours of work per week (144 hrs./semester).
GRADING:
Your final course grade will be determined by the following course requirements:
- Exam I: 20% of your final grade. (WEEK 5)
Essay portion distributed on TBA
- Exam II: 20% of your final grade. (WEEK 10)
Essay portion distributed on TBA
- Exam III: 25% of your final grade. (WEEK 15)
Essay portion distributedTBA
- Reading Notes: 20% of your final grade.
- Participation/Attendance/Group Work: 15% of your final grade.
EXAM GUIDELINES:
Exams will consist of two separate parts and will not be cumulative. On each exam you have the potential to earn 100 total points.
PART I: Part one of each exam will consist of 35 multiple choice questions. Each question will be worth roughly 1.43 points. The entire portion will be worth 50 points.
PART II: Part two of each exam will consist of take-home essay questions. The essay portion of the exam will be discussed in detail before the first exam. General directions are as follows:
- Please TYPE your answers using 12-point Times New Roman font.
- Standard margins and double-spacing.
- Cover page that includes your name and SID number.
- The maximum page limit is 4 pages.
- Please include at the very least three citations from the readings or lecture, you need to cite in the paper (Ex. Goode 213 or O’Brien Lecture), but you may use the format you are most familiar with (e.g., MLA, APA, ASA). Please DO NOT over cite. By this I mean direct block quotes that use half of a page, useless citations, or so many citations that you never offer any explanation in your own words.
- You need to draw on materials from lecture and the required readingsto answer the essay questions. Your essays should exhibit the critical thinking skills you have developed on these issues. Please make sure you use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You will be graded on the depth of knowledge and understanding of the material you convey to me through your answers.
READING NOTES GUIDELINES (Drugs, Crime, and Law):
“Why are we doing these?”
Reading notes are an effective way of ensuring that you read and understood the chapters from class. Reading notes incentivize reading and rewards students who come to class prepared to discuss the material. When we have all read, we can spend class time understanding, discussing, and expanding on chapter material rather than simply reviewing it.
What Makes Reading Notes Good or Bad?
Reading notes that try and cover every piece of information are just as bad as reading notes that do not identify central or interesting concepts from the chapter. I want you to pull needles from a haystack. Your reading notes should cover (a few, but not all) of the chapter’s key ideas and topics.
Things to Ask Yourself:
What are some of the main points or concepts in this chapter?
What concepts, ideas, or examples do I find most interesting?
What are some central quotes that relate to the concepts I identified? Why are they important?
What are some discussion questions that relate to the concepts I identified?
What are some discussion questions I think would be interesting for the class?
Directions:
- Reading notes must be typed, printed, stapled, and include page numbers. You should print an extra copy or have your notes available on your laptop for class discussion.
- Your reading notes must the outline formI have decided upon (discussed below) and the information must be presented in a way that is easy for the reader to understand and follow.
- On the top left of the first page you are required to include your name, course name, class time, and the chapter number and name.
- You are required to use Times New Roman 12-point font and one-inch margins.
- You are required to upload your chapter outlines to D2L dropbox by the start of Monday class for the appropriate week.
- Your notes should cover important material from the chapters. I expect your notes to cover more than just the first few pages of each chapter.
- Your notes should be 1-2 pages (do not exceed 2 pages).
- Main Concepts: 1-3 main pointsconcepts, ideas, or arguments from the chapter
- Think about what you thought was important to understand or what you found interesting.
- Briefly explain the concept/idea. Why did you choose it?
- Quotes: 1-2 direct quotes that you thought were important from the chapter.
- Why did you find these quotes important?
- Discussion:2-3 discussion questions for the class or topics you want to know more about (these questions can be posed to the class, me, or just something you are curious about).
- Number your concepts, quotes, and discussion questions (e.g., 1,2,3, etc.)
- Each main point, direct quote, and discussion question must cite the page number(s) so you can refer back to the appropriate pages during class if necessary.
- Always bring your book to class!
- YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS YOUR READING NOTES IN CLASS and BRING YOUR BOOK TO CLASS.
Example: