Module Descriptors
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DRUGS
PSYC60398
Key Facts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Level 6
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 22
Independent Study Hours: 128
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Texts
Carroll,C.R. (2001). Drugs in Modern Society. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw Hill.
Grilly, D.M. (2005) Drugs and Human Behaviour. 5th Ed. London: Allyn & Bacon.
Hedges, D. and Burchfield, C. (2006). Mind, Brain and Drug. Boston: Pearson.
Levinthal, CF (2009) Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. 6th Ed. London: Allyn & Bacon.
Hart, C.L. Ksir, C. & Ray, O. (2008). Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (13th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill.
Grilly, D.M. (2005) Drugs and Human Behaviour. 5th Ed. London: Allyn & Bacon.
Hedges, D. and Burchfield, C. (2006). Mind, Brain and Drug. Boston: Pearson.
Levinthal, CF (2009) Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. 6th Ed. London: Allyn & Bacon.
Hart, C.L. Ksir, C. & Ray, O. (2008). Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (13th Edition). New York: McGraw Hill.
Module Learning Strategies
There will be 11 two-hour whole group classes supported by independent work. Students will be expected to master the issues sufficiently to be able to discuss their theoretical and policy implications both verbally and in writing. The whole group classes will involve a mixture of lectures, small group work, interactive student-tutor work, and student-led presentations. Students will be provided with activities based around each of the group sessions via a virtual learning environment (VLE).
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Be registered on any Psychology Award
Module Resources
A Virtual Learning Environment e.g. Blackboard.
Module Indicative Content
The module draws on theoretical debates, concepts and research to explore in depth a number of issues of current concern about drugs and their impact on users and society. It considers drug use from psychophysiological, social and health perspectives. Broad themes explored in the module include: demographics of users, trajectories of use, predictors of use, gateway theory of drug use progression, evidence on addictiveness of drugs, addiction v dependency, drugs and the family, drugs and crime, drugs and health, primary prevention, motivating change, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Summative Assessment
100% examination
Progress on the module will be assessed by means of a 2 hour examination which demonstrates students? ability to draw on appropriate material, address the issue precisely and logically, critically evaluate ideas, link empirical findings to psychological theories, policy, legislative and medical debates and address developments current at the time and demonstrating learning objectives 1 to 4. Students are required to answer two essay type exam questions.
Formative learning
Opportunities for formative feedback will occur throughout the course, through discussions and debates and VLE activities. The final group session will be used to provide formative feedback specifically on student essay plans; students will have the opportunity to prepare mock essay plans and receive tutor feedback on these in the final session.
100% examination
Progress on the module will be assessed by means of a 2 hour examination which demonstrates students? ability to draw on appropriate material, address the issue precisely and logically, critically evaluate ideas, link empirical findings to psychological theories, policy, legislative and medical debates and address developments current at the time and demonstrating learning objectives 1 to 4. Students are required to answer two essay type exam questions.
Formative learning
Opportunities for formative feedback will occur throughout the course, through discussions and debates and VLE activities. The final group session will be used to provide formative feedback specifically on student essay plans; students will have the opportunity to prepare mock essay plans and receive tutor feedback on these in the final session.