Drugs in Society
HLTH-252

The purpose of this course is to become familiar with a variety of illicit and licit drugs and drug-related issues, to understand the social impact of drugs, to recognize the dangers imposed not only to an individual but also to the community due to the misuse of drugs, and to relate positive health behaviors for combating drug misuse.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the Biblical, social, and psychological reasons why drug use and abuse occur and research specific facets of major drugs of abuse.
2. Discuss the impact of drug use patterns and abuse on individual and community levels.
3. Identify the function of attitudes values and faith in the use and abuse of drugs.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms of how drugs affect the human body.
5. Describe how drugs can be used effectively for therapeutic purposes.
6. Explain methodologies used to prevent and treat drug abuse and demonstrate the ability to communicate research findings of major drugs of abuse.

This course emphasizes concepts of Social and Scientific Inquiry: the ability to employ established methods of exploring the social and natural sciences in order to understand the human experience of various social structures and the natural world.

1. SSI 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of social and/or natural sciences on the world in which we live.
2. SSI 2: Demonstrate a Biblical understanding of human behavior within various social            structures.
3. SSI 3: Apply solutions for a social and/or scientific dilemma experienced in society.
4. SSI 4: Describe how social and/or scientific inquiry equips human beings to be participants in God’s redemptive work.

As a secondary emphasis, this course addresses concepts of Critical Thinking: the ability to use analytical, evaluative, logical, and reasonable patterns of thought to establish coherent beliefs, ethics, and strategic decisions.

1. CT 2: Structure an argument or position using credible evidence and valid reasoning.
2. CT 3: Compare and contrast the biblical worldview with a non-biblical worldview, evaluating the influence of assumptions and contexts on ethics and values.
3. CT 4: Plan evidence-based courses of action to resolve problems.

In addition to the learning outcomes listed above, this course addresses the following Program Learning Outcomes as primary emphases. (For a complete list of the Bachelor of Science in Public Health Program Learning Outcomes, see the Liberty University Course Catalog).

 By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate effective written, oral, and electronic methods of communicating health information with selected audiences.
• Identify the scientific basis for public health problems.
• Describe health from the perspective of God’s purposes for humanity in creation, fall, and redemption.

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore.

Additional Materials for Learning

1. 1. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
   2. Internet access (broadband recommended)
   3. Canvas recommended browsers
   4. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
   5. APA formatting information

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to participate in 6 Discussions throughout this course. Each discussion includes two parts: a thread of at least 300 words, which answers the discussion prompt and includes Scripture/biblical references and at least one additional reference to support the information, and replies to two classmates’ threads, which must be at least 150 words each. Additionally, the student must respond to all questions posted by the instructor and classmates in his/her thread. (FSLO: SSI 1, 2, 3 & 4 and CT 2, 3 & 4)

There will be 2 Case Study Assignments during the course. The student is required to read an article and analyze the issue. The student will then thoroughly discuss the prevalence or the issues using moral and biblical positions, evidence based information, and public health issues surrounding the topic in each case analysis. The student will present the case in paragraph form using current APA formatting (Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1” margins and double-spaced). A title page and reference page must be included. The student must use 2–3 scholarly references along with citations from the assigned reading to answer the case studies. The body of each case study analysis must be 2–3 pages. The student is encouraged to write using headings. An abstract page is not necessary for this assignment. For more information, refer to the Case Study Assignment Instructions and Grading Rubric. (FSLO: SSI 1 & 4 and CT 2)

As a culminating project, the student will incorporate the knowledge gained in the class into a 13–15-slide PowerPoint presentation, focusing on a specific drug of choice. The presentation’s purpose is to provide general information about the drug and then to focus on prevention of abuse. This assignment must reference at least 5 scholarly references in current APA format. (FSLO: SSI 1, 2, 3 & 4 and CT 2 & 4)

There will be 4 open-book/open-notes quizzes in this course. Each quiz will contain 50 multiple-choice questions that cover the textbook readings. There will be a 1-hour and 15-minute time limit.  One point will be deducted for every minute the student goes over this time limt.

Policies

Communication with the professor is very important in this class. If you have questions about any assignments, please email to ask prior to the due date.

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.

Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.
4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at [email protected] for accommodations.  Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition.   For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at [email protected].  Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs. Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory.

Liberty University comprises a network of students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/.