Sep 28, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024
[Archived Catalog]
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CJ 4800 - Drugs, Crime, and Society
This course examines the relationship between drug use and crime in American society. It serves as a synthesis of the abuse of drugs and the societal consequences in relation to crime and the criminal justice system. In this course students examine the attributes of the people who use drugs, the social dynamics that influence legality, and the norms and characteristics of the society in which the substance use occurs. We conduct an examination of drug use and crime at the micro, meso, and macro levels of analysis. In particular, students gain an understanding of the nexus between individual use, crime, and systematic violence tied to criminal organizations that sell and traffic drugs. Students move beyond U.S. borders and explore drug trafficking and global politics. Prevention, intervention, and treatment tactics used in the U.S. criminal justice system are explored and critiqued. Finally, public policy concerning drug related issues are examined.
Requisites: (C or better in LET 3550 or PSY 2120 or COMS 3420 or SW 3870) and (LET 3555 or PSY 2110 or COMS 3520 or QBA 2010 or MATH 2500 or concurrent) and (3 hours in PSY or SOC) and Sr
Credit Hours: 3
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 3
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to explain the social dynamics that influence legality of drug in both a historical and contemporary context.
- Students will be able to outline socio-cultural factors that contribute to drug use and empirical generalizations (i.e. trends, patterns) regarding drug use across a number of correlates (i.e. age, race, social class, gender).
- Students will be able to describe the relationship between drug use and crime committed by individuals.
- Students will be able to recognize the connection between violence and drug trafficking at the domestic and international levels.
- Students will be able to identify and critique tactics used by law enforcement, the court system, and corrections in the War on Drugs.
- Students will be able to describe the key issues affecting drug prevention and treatment, and discuss what research has concluded about the effectiveness of selected prevention and treatment programs.
- Students will be able to identify and critique contemporary criminal justice and public policy issues surrounding drug use and abuse.
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