CRJ 104 Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior

This course examines the effects of drug and alcohol use on American society. Emphasis is placed upon addictive behaviors that affect the crime rate, drug control policies, and enforcement efforts. Treatment and prevention theories are also discussed.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

CRJ 104 Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior

Campus Location

  • Dover
  • Georgetown
  • Stanton

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: SSC 100 or concurrent

Course Credits and Hours

3 credit(s)

3 lecture hours/week

0 lab hours/week

Course Description

This course examines the effects of drug and alcohol use on American society. Emphasis is placed upon addictive behaviors that affect the crime rate, drug control policies, and enforcement efforts. Treatment and prevention theories are also discussed.

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Explain the historical origins of drug and alcohol usage, and describe the progression of substance abuse in the United States. (CCC 4, 5; PGC 2, 4, 5)
  2. Describe current trends and predictions of future trends in drug and alcohol abuse. (CCC 1, 5; PGC 3, 4)
  3. Classify drugs according to their pharmacological properties. (CCC 5, 6; PGC 2, 5)
  4. Describe the social consequences of drug and alcohol abuse, drug and alcohol laws, and drug regulations. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 1, 2, 4, 5)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Explain the historical origins of drug and alcohol usage, and describe the progression of substance abuse in the United States.
    1. Define the term drug, and identify substances that fall into that definition.
    2. Discuss historical themes of drug use from early times through the twentieth century.
    3. Describe the routes of ingestion for various drugs and their effect on the mind and body.
    4. Explain anticipated outcomes of drug and alcohol usage, unanticipated outcomes, physical and psychological dependence, and individual differences between users.
  2. Describe current trends and predictions of future trends in drug and alcohol abuse.
    1. Examine general patterns of illicit drug use in the United States.
    2. Examine general patterns of alcohol use in the United States.
    3. Examine age-specific trends of illicit drug use and alcohol use.
    4. Describe patterns of tobacco use, and explain the relationship of tobacco use to illicit drug use.
    5. Discuss the projected usage trends of alcohol over the next decade.
    6. Discuss the projected usage trends of illicit drugs over the next decade.
  3. Classify drugs according to their pharmacological properties.
    1. Examine the general categories of drugs, including amphetamines, depressants, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, opiates, and performance drugs.
    2. Define the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (also known as the Controlled Substances Act).
    3. Describe the five-category system established under the Controlled Substances Act, and identify drugs that fall into the various schedules.
  4. Describe the social consequences of drug and alcohol abuse, drug and alcohol laws, and drug regulations.
    1. Describe the effects of drug toxicity, the prevalence of such occurrences, and the significance of Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reports.
    2. Define various psychoanalytic theories on drug abuse.
    3. Define various sociological perspectives on drug abuse.
    4. Discuss drug-specific crimes and their prevalence.
    5. Discuss how illicit drug usage affects the overall crime rate.
    6. Define the roles of drug gangs, drug cartels, and narco-terrorist groups, and explain their impact upon society.
    7. Examine the various federal drug and alcohol policies and regulations from the eighteenth century to present day.
    8. Examine various federal and state tobacco legislations.
    9. Discuss the globalization of drug regulations.
    10. Identify Delaware-specific laws relating to illicit drugs under Title 16 of the Delaware Code.
    11. Identify Delaware-specific laws relating to alcohol use under Titles 4, 11, and 21.
  5. Identify intervention, prevention, and treatment strategies for drug and alcohol abuse.
    1. Describe the differences among supply reduction (source control), demand reduction, and harm reduction as each relates to the control of illicit drug use.
    2. Discuss United States drug interdiction efforts and the federal agencies involved with drug law enforcement.
    3. Examine state, local, and street-level drug enforcement efforts.
    4. Discuss community-based drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs, and explain their impact.
    5. Discuss the media and its influence on drug and alcohol use.
    6. Explain the various stages of recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction.
    7. Identify various treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse, and explain their methodologies.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Summative: Exam (4) (equally weighted)

60%

Formative: Quizzes, assignments, journals, presentations (equally weighted)

40%

TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

CRJAASCRJ

  1. Discuss criminal justice professionalism in the performance of duties.
  2. Articulate the function and interaction of criminal justice agencies and organizations.
  3. Explain interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques with diverse criminal justice populations.
  4. Apply knowledge of causation and correction to juvenile and adult offenders.
  5. Describe the legal principles and practices of criminal and constitutional law.

CRJAASLEO

  1. Employ criminal justice ethics in the performance of duties.
  2. Employ the legal principles and practices of criminal and constitutional law.
  3. Utilize interviewing, counseling, and crisis intervention techniques with diverse criminal justice populations.
  4. Apply the knowledge and skills of a law enforcement professional.
  5. Meet the academic training eligibility requirements for advanced standing status at the Delaware State Police Academy.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for online, hybrid, video conferencing and web conferencing courses.