I. Course Prefix/Number: PSY 237
Course Name: Psychopharmacology
Credits: 3 (3 lecture; 0 lab)
III. Course (Catalog) Description
Course studies behavioral and cognitive effects of psychoactive drugs, including both illicit drugs and use of drugs in treating psychological disorders. Content includes psychology and physiology of addictions; information on drug use, misuse, abuse, and addiction; socially abused chemicals and historical background, pharmacology, psychological and physiological effects, medical uses, dependence patterns and toxicity.
IV. Learning Objectives
B. Explain the fundamental workings of the human nervous system and the impact of drugs on the psychological and physiological processes.
C. Identify the major drugs of potential abuse within the categories of stimulants, depressants, narcotics, hallucinogens, and cannabis.
D. Explain the categorization of drugs.
E. Explain the medical use of drugs including the degrees of possible physical and psychological dependence, tolerance, usual methods of administration, possible effects, and effects of overdose and withdrawal syndrome.
F. Explain the differences in values, attitudes, beliefs, and behavior patterns of special populations concerning the psychology and physiology of substance abuse.
V. Academic Integrity
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI. Sequence of Topics
B. Drug Use as a Social Problem
C. Drug Regulations
D. The Nervous System
E. The Action of Drugs
F. Stimulants, Depressants
E. The Action of Drugs
G. Drugs for Mental Illness
H. Alcohol in the Body, Alcohol and Society
I. Nicotine, Caffeine, Over-The Counter Drugs
K. Hallucinogens, Cannabis and Hashish
L. Steroids and Other Drugs In Sport
M. Drug Education and Prevention
N. Substance Abuse Treatment
VII. Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.
VIII. Course Practices Required
B. Completion of exercises
C. Writing - Students will be required to write for the class the equivalent of 12-15 typed pages of material that will be graded. This writing may take the form of a research or term paper, summaries of journal articles, and/or a series of shorter, analytical papers.
D. Participation in class discussions
E. Performance on exams and papers
F. Oral presentations
IX. Instructional Materials
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
XI. Other Course Information
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.