Unit information: Drugs and Society in 2012/13

Unit name	Drugs and Society
Unit code	SPOL21011
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Lart
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The use and misuse of illicit drugs have become significant factors across all areas of social policy. The unit looks at different ways illicit drug use has been constructed, both specifically in policy responses and in wider social responses. A strong policy focus will trace the development of British drugs policy over the last century, and examine selected other societies' responses and policies. Issues particularly relating to research in the drugs field will also be addressed.

The unit aims to:

1. provide students with a broad social, historical and theoretical framework for understanding drug use
2. enable students to understand and critically assess the range of social responses to drug use
3. show students the significance of drug use for contemporary social policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. describe and analyse how illicit drug use has been defined and responded to in British society and in selected other societies
2. use a range of social theory to analyse policy responses to drug use
3. describe and critically assess the range of research methods used in the drugs field
4. critically assess arguments about the legalisation, decriminalisation and prohibition of drug use

Teaching Information

The unit is taught by a series of 12 lectures, followed each week by a class. The classes involve a mixture of student presentations of literature and exercises.

Assessment Information

Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level.

Formative assessment: One 2000- 2500 word essay

Summative assessment: Level I - 3 000 word essay

Reading and References

Hughes,R., Lart, R. and Higate,P (eds)(2006) Drugs: Policy and Politics Open University Press

Stevens, A (2011) Drugs, Crime and Public Health London: Routledge

Shiner, M (2009) Drug use and social change Palgrave MacMillan

Seddon, T (2010) A history of drugs: drugs and freedom in the liberal age London: Routledge

McKeganey, N ( 2010) Controversies in drugs policy and practice Palgrave MacMillan

Berridge,V (1998) Opium and the People: Opiate Use and Drug Control Policy in Nineteenth and early 20th Century England London: Free Association Books