Controversial Issues:  Drugs & Society 900:196 Section 12 Fall, 2002    11:00 T Th   Sabin 121 Dr. Linda L. Walsh

The world of drugs is fraught with controversy. Although the first issues that come to mind may involve illicit drugs (their effects, use and abuse, illegal status and the 'war' to control their availabilty, treatment options, and so forth), there is also a great deal of debate concerning legally available substances - prescription, over-the-counter, and our widespread 'social' drugs like alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. Drug controversies occur in many different arenas: political, legal, medical, scientific, social, philosophical/ethical, psychological, and others. Almost all are highly complex issues. We will explore, in some depth, the reasoning and evidence underlying different positions on many different types of issues. We will also monitor the prevalence and range of drug-related questions in the news during our time together. But this course is not just about drugs and society; it is also about critically analyzing arguments and other communications, no matter what the topic, and also skillfully presenting and defending claims. Those skills should serve you far beyond your future encounters with drug controversies.

Course Objectives

1) Gain a better understanding of diverse issues related to drugs, both licit and illicit.
2) Better appreciate multiple perspectives on these controversies.
3) Learn how to critically evaluate arguments and the evidence and reasoning underlying those arguments.
4) Improve your ability to pick out faulty reasoning and unsubstantiated claims.
5) Become a critical reader of both paper and web resources.
6) Gain experience organizing, presenting and defending a position on an issue, both orally and in writing.

In the Readings column, "Issue" numbers refer to our text: Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues In Drugs and Society (5th Edition) (Raymond Goldberg, Ed.).Clicking on the link above will take you to our textbook's website which has a variety of study aids and weblinks for your use. RR refers to Reserve Readings (on issues not covered in our text) available at the checkout counter in the basement of the library.Underlined text refers to World Wide Web documents,easily accessed from our online syllabus at http://www.uni.edu/walsh/honorssyl.html
 
 
 

Course Requirements

1) Class participation (120 pts, or ~20%))
2) Working with classmates to present 3 different controversal issues during the semester.(30 pts each or 15% total)
3) Writing 3 supported opinion papers on those issues. (50 pts each, or ~25% total)
4) Two exams over the content covered in our readings and discussions.(~120 pts each, or ~ 40% total)

Class Participation. Active class discussion is essential to a seminar class and demands completing the readings on time (before class) and critically evaluating the authors' arguments so that you can critique them in class. Attendence is required but not sufficient. The frequency and quality of your discussion will determine 40% of your particpation grade. I would recommend coming to class with notes on the required text readings, including your reactions. Each day that we have required readings (except when you are presenting), also turn in a 3 x 5 index card containing your name and a minimum of 2 well thought out discussion questions on the readings at the beginning of class. The completion of as well as the quality of your submitted discussion questions will determine another 40% of your participation grade. Finally, to encourage your awareness of the prevalence of drug-related issues, you are required to turn a drug issue "current event" to share with the class at least once every 4 weeks of the semester (at least 4 total). These can be current drug issues reported in newspaper or magazine articles or on the web, drug issues discussed on public radio ( recommended: National Public Radio's Morning Edition (mornings before 9:00) or All Things Considered (3:00-6:00 afternoons, both available on KUNI 90.9 fm or via KUNI's website). This is one way we can at least mention the many issues we may not be able to cover in detail this semester.

Class Presentations. Using class responses to our topic survey I selected the most highly rated issues and assigned students to groups to present 10 of those topics. I did my best to assign you to issues which you indicated were your favorites, although this was not possible in all cases. For some topics, however, all students wanted to present the same side of the argument. In those cases we can draw cards to choose sides (high card chooses first, ace is high) or you can negotiate with your teammates. The first topic you present will be as an informal debate. Later topics may also be done as debates, or your team may choose another format, such as holding a panel discussion, or making a presentation and then leading class discussion. No matter what the format, you should go beyond the required readings to find quality print (required) and web resources to bolster your evidence. Use guidelines on How to Evaluate Sources to help select your supporting documents. Use of an overhead outline or handout detailing your claims and supporting evidence is strongly recommended. If all goes as planned, the final round of presentations will be on issues not included in our text (hence requiring more team research and organization). I have listed some possible topics based on survey data, but feel free to suggest other final topics..

Opinion Papers allow a less time-pressured presentation of your case, presenting your claims and support and incorporating evidence from the quality sources you have uncovered. Be sure to write these papers in your own words. I suggest outlining your argument and then setting your sources aside while you write your paper (so as not to be tempted by another's words). You can, of course, return to your sources, when you are done, to doublecheck your accuracy.

Exams will contain a combination of mutliple choice and essay questions based on required readings and class discussion. You will not be tested on supplemental websites but websites might help you answer essay questions (e.g. by providing more evidence or another point of view, raising more issues, etc.). There are practice multiple choice questions on our textbook's website.

About Your Prof
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Education: B.S. (Psychology) University of Illinois, Chicago;
                  M.A. (Biopsychology) University of Chicago;
                  Ph.D. (Biopsychology) University of Chicago
Married:  James Walsh (attorney)
Children:  3 girls (Jennifer (19), Sara (17), & Annie (13))
Hobbies:  Gardening, gourmet cooking, travel, volleyball, reading
Most unusual experiences: Performing brain surgery on rats, riding an elephant (twice!), climbing the Great Pyramid, wearing a live python around my neck, flying in a blimp, visiting ancient Greek ruins, giving birth