Syllabus

Drugs and Crime

1191-FIU01-CCJ-3651-SECRVC-19173

    General Information

    Professor Information

    Professor Photo
    Dr. Ted Shields
    (305) 348-3066
    PCA 354 (MMC)
    On demand via email or by appointment

    Course Description and Purpose

    This course examines the history and consequences of using mind-altering drugs, and criminal behavior as it is affected by drugs.  It also evaluates the legal response to illegal drug trafficking, illegal drug use, substance abuse, treatment and prevention of substance abuse.

    Course Objectives

    After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    • Discuss the history of legal and illegal drug use in the United States and world-wide;
    • Identify modern trends in alcohol and drug use in 21st century youth culture;
    • Identify popular prescription and illicit drugs, the effects of those drugs, and different ways such drugs are used and abused;
    • Examine the connection between drug trafficking, drug use and criminal behavior;
    • Evaluate the legal response to illegal drug use and abuse (i.e. The War on Drugs); and
    • Debate the morality and effectiveness of drug prohibition and the enforcement of drug laws.

    Important Information

    Policies

    Please review the FIU's Policies webpage. The policies webpage contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU, as well as additional information about acceptable netiquette for online courses.

    More importantly, please note that this course will adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy of the University. Each assignment is considered an individual assignment, I do NOT allow collaboration. Should I observe any form of academic dishonesty, the student will receive a grade of “F” in this course and face all other consequences as imposed by the University.

    Cheating degrades the value of everyone’s degree – DON’T DO IT!

    Additionally, please refer to the University policy for information about sexual harassment, religious holy days, and information on services for students with disabilities.

    Technical Requirements and Skills

    One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the "What's Required" webpage to find out more information on this subject.

    This course utilizes the following tools:

    Please visit our Technical Requirements webpage for additional information.

    Accessibility and Accommodation

    The Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The DRC provides FIU students with disabilities the necessary support to successfully complete their education and participate in activities available to all students. If you have a diagnosed disability and plan to utilize academic accommodations, please contact the Center at 305-348-3532 or visit them at the Graham Center GC 190.

    Please visit our ADA Compliance webpage for information about accessibility involving the tools used in this course.

    Please visit the Canvas Accessibility webpage for more information.

    For additional assistance please contact FIU's Disability Resource Center.

    Academic Misconduct Statement

    Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

    Academic Misconduct includes:

    • Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not.
    • Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

    Learn more about the academic integrity policies and procedures as well as student resources that can help you prepare for a successful semester.

    Course Prerequisites

    There are no required prerequisites for this course.

    Proctored Exam Policy

    This online section does not require an on-campus visit or exam.

    Textbook

    Textbook Image
    Drugs, Society and Criminal Justice (Required)
    Charles F. Levinthal
    Pearson; 4th Edition; 2016
    ISBN-10: 0133802582
    ISBN-13: 9780133802580
    You may purchase your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.

    For a more affordable option, a digital textbook can be purchased at www.pearson.com

    Supplemental Readings:
    For most weeks, I will provide topical readings and/or videos to support the issues and concepts presented in the text.

    Expectations of this Course

    This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.

    Students are expected to:

    • Review the Getting Started information located in the course content;
    • Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self-introduction in the appropriate discussion forum;
    • Take the Practice Quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with the LMS;
    • Interact online with instructor(s) and peers; and
    • Review and follow the course calendar.

    The instructor will:

    • Be an active facilitator and participant in the learning community;
    • Respond to discussion boards, blogs and/or journal postings within 48 hours of the due date;
    • Respond to emails within 24 hours; and
    • Grade assignments within 48-72 hours of the assignment deadline.

    Course Detail

    Course Communication

    Communication in this course will take place via Email.

    Visit our Writing Resources webpage for more information on professional writing and technical communication skills.

    Discussion Forums

    Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.

    Students will be required to participate in weekly Discussion Forums.  Discussion Forum topics will be taken from the weekly readings/video and be posted each Monday at 9:00am. Students must fully address all aspects of the forum, as well as constructively responding to a minimum of two fellow students to adequately complete the assignment.

    Rubric:

    POINTS 100 75 50 0
    Quality of Post Appropriate comments: thoughtful, reflective and respectful Appropriate comments and responds respectfully to others Responds, but with minimum effort. (e.g. "I agree with Bill") No Posting
    Relevance of Post Post topics related to discussion topic, prompts further discussion of topic Posts topics that are related to discussion content Posts topics which do not relate to the discussion content; makes short or irrelevant remarks No Posting
    Contribution to the Learning Community Aware of needs of community; attempts to motivate group discussion; presents creative approaches to topic Attempts to direct the
    discussion and to present
    relevant viewpoints
    for consideration by group; interacts freely
    Does not make effort to participate in learning community as it develops No feedback provided to other students

    Assessments

    In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

    Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services.

    Weekly Quizzes:
    Each week (aside from examination weeks), students are required to complete an open book/notes quiz on the weekly course content.  The quizzes will be available to students from Tuesday at 9:00am through Sunday at 11:59pm.  The quizzes will be timed and once students begin the quiz they cannot stop.  Scores will be provided to students immediately on the completion of the quizzes.

    Quiz Expectations:

    • Students must read the week's chapter, read/listen to the PowerPoint presentation and/or read lecture notes before attempting the quiz (though it is open text/notes, students will not have time to complete the quiz if not familiar with content)
    • Quizzes will become available from Tuesday 9:00am – Sunday 11:59pm
    • The time limit for each quiz will vary depending on the number of questions presented. You should carefully read the assessment instructions upon launching to know how long you will have to complete that quiz.
    • Students will see scores and correct answers immediately after each quiz

    Exams:
    This course will have both a midterm and final examination.

    • The midterm examination will consist of approximately 60 multiple choice questions.  Students will have 70 minutes to complete the midterm examination. 
    • The final examination will consist of approximately 60 multiple choice questions and is not cumulative. Students will have 70 minutes to complete the final examination.
    • Exams will become available from Tuesday at 9:00am - Sunday at 11:59pm.

    Students will be provided with a review at the beginning of each examination week.

    Adobe Connect Pro Meeting

    Adobe Connect is an online meeting room where you can interact with your professor and fellow students by sharing screens, sharing files, chatting, broadcasting live audio, and taking part in other interactive online activities. We will be using this tool to conduct virtual office hours as needed.

    Requirements for using Adobe Connect:

    • Disable any window pop-up blocker.
    • Adobe Flash Player is required to successfully run your Adobe Connect meeting. You can test your computer to make sure your computer and network connections are properly configured to provide you with the best possible Adobe Connect meeting experience.
    • Use of a combination headset and microphone with USB connection is recommended to ensure quality sound and reduce technical difficulties.

    Reference Adobe Connect (Tutorials & Help) to learn about the tool, how to access your meeting rooms and recordings.

    Course Assessment Methodology

    Most weeks, your responsibilities for this course will include the following:

    1 Listen to and/or read weekly course module introduction
    2 Complete reading assignments (text and supplemental readings)
    3 View weekly PowerPoint and/or read lecture notes/outline
    4 View video or read video transcripts (when there is a video)
    5 Participate in weekly "Discussion Forum" topics: this will require both addressing the issues/topics at hand and responding to posts of classmates. Discussion Forum evaluation procedures are addressed below.
    6 Complete weekly Quizzes (by Sunday at 11:59pm)

    Grading

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS NUMBER OF ITEMS POINTS FOR EACH TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE WEIGHT
    Discussions 12 100 1200 40%
    Quizzes 12 100 1200 20%
    Midterm Exam 1 120 120 20%
    Final Exam 1 120 120 20%
    Total 26 N/A 2640 100%
    LETTER RANGE (%) LETTER RANGE (%)
    A 90% or Above D 60 - 69.99%
    B 80 - 89.99% F Below 60%
    C 70 - 79.99%    

    Course Calendar

    Weekly Schedule

    WEEK TASKS ASSESSMENTS

    Week 1
    Jan. 7 - Jan. 13

    Chapter 1: Understanding the Drug Problem in America
    Introduce yourself in Discussion Forum: Introduce Yourself
    Practice Quiz
    Week 2
    Jan. 14 - Jan. 20
    Chapter 2: Understanding the Drug Problem Global Presence
    Post to Discussion Forum #1
    Quiz 1
    Week 3
    Jan. 21 - Jan. 27
    Chapter 3: History of Drug Use and Drug Control Policy
    Post to Discussion Forum #2
    Quiz 2
    Week 4
    Jan. 28 - Feb. 3
    Chapter 4: Fundamentals of Drug-Taking Behavior
    Post to Discussion Forum #3
    Quiz 3
    Week 5
    Feb. 4 - Feb. 10
    Chapter 5: Theoretical Perspectives on Drug Use and Abuse
    Post to Discussion Forum #4
    Quiz 4
    Week 6
    Feb. 11 - Feb. 17
    Chapter 6: Drugs and Crime
    Post to Discussion Forum #5
    Quiz 5
    Week 7
    Feb. 18 - Feb. 24
    Chapter 7: Drugs and Law Enforcement
    Post to Discussion Forum #6
    Quiz 6
    Week 8
    Feb. 25 - Mar. 3
    Midterm Exam:
    Tuesday @ 9:00am - Sunday @ 11:59pm
     

    Week 9
    Mar. 4 - Mar. 10

    Chapter 9: Opiods: Opium, Heroin and Prescription Pain Meds
    Chapter 10: Cocaine and Methamphetamines
    Post to Discussion Forum #7
    Quiz 7
    Week 10
    Mar. 11 - Mar. 17
    SPRING BREAK - NO NEW CONTENT THIS WEEK  
    Week 11
    Mar. 18 - Mar. 24
    Chapter 11: LSD and Other Hallucinogens
    Post to Discussion Forum #8
    Quiz 8

    Week 12
    Mar. 25 - Mar. 31

    Chapter 12: Marijuana
    Post to Discussion Forum #9
    Quiz 9
    Week 13
    Apr. 1 - Apr. 7
    Chapter 13: Performance-Enhancing Drugs
    Post to Discussion Forum #10
    Quiz 10
    Week 14
    Apr. 8 - Apr. 14
    Chapter 14: Depressants and Inhalants
    Post to Discussion Forum #11
    Quiz 11
    Week 15
    Apr. 15 - Apr. 21
    Chapter 17: Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment
    Post to Discussion Forum #12
    Quiz 12
    Week 16
    Apr. 22 - Apr. 27
    Final Exam:
    Tuesday @ 9:00am - Saturday @ 11:59pm