Syllabus
Undergraduate Programs
HIST 2660 History of Drugs in Americas
Credits - 3
Description
This course examines how drugs have shaped societies and cultures in the Americas—from the United States to the southern mountains of Peru and Bolivia—in the last hundred or so years. We will begin by considering the social and cultural origins of drugs, as well as how societies have applied and regulated them, before proceeding to assess their social, cultural, and political implications.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of the course, each student will be able to:
- Identify major issues in the social history of drugs in the Americas
- Evaluate primary sources relevant to the history of drugs in the Americas
- Compare how different drugs became popular across various moments in history
- Present their ideas on the history of drugs in written form
- Think Historically
Assignments
Discussion Board: For those of you who have not yet taken an online course, you will discover that one of the main components of an online class is the Discussion Board.
Initial Post: Each week, questions will be posed to the class. Each student is required to answer these questions. Students should fully answer the questions in their initial post. Every initial post should include at least one reference that supports your answer (the reference must be the text, a video required for class, or reputable website, which you link to).
Two Comments: In addition to this “initial” post, you will be required to post at least two other posts throughout the week. These comments will be responses to other students and at least one of your posts must also include a reference. Please be advised that in order to earn full credit on the Discussion Board, all three of your posts must be substantive.
What is a substantive post?: A substantive post is one which raises an idea or an argument or a question based on the readings or video, and does not simply agree with another student’s post or pose a simple question. For example, you want to explain a particular issue, or make a comment that in some way demonstrates that you have read the required text(s) and/or watched the video.
Posts should be at least 200 words each.
Additionally, you must post your posts over the course of at least two different days throughout the week. This allows for ongoing class discussion throughout the week.
Film Notes: You must submit notes for assigned movies and documentaries on Brightspace. I have chosen films that will entertain you while (more important) give you a sense of the particular time, place and people that we are learning about. You must pay attention and refer to the films in your written work. After the film, we will have a conversation about how the films touch on issues we are learning about. This will be your chance to share your thoughts with your classmates.
Papers: You will be required to write two response papers. They must be no less than five pages, excluding any reference material. I will take points off for papers shorter than five pages. The papers are opportunities for you to reflect on what you have read and what we have discussed on the Discussion Board. I will assess take-home papers on the basis of content, clarity, structure and grammar.
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Week 1: PROHIBITION
Read: Courtwright, Introduction and 9 – 31, and 152 – 210
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GECsin42oS0
Week 2: CANNABIS
Read: Courtwright, 31 – 69, 70 – 90, 91 – 134; and Martin Lee, 1-37
Week 3: Cannabis Continued
ReadLee, 80 – 115, and 339-383 (Brightspace)
Week 4: COCAINE
Read: W. Gordon Mortimer, “The History of Coca,” and Joseph Gagliano, “The Coca Debate in Colonial Peru” (Brightspace)
Read: “Coca and the Peruvian Indian, 1932”; Oscar Benavides, “Studying Cocaine Production in Peru, 1936”; “Peruvian Cocaine and the War Effort, 1941”; “Cocaine Production in Peru, 1942”; “Drug Control in Peru, 1945, ” (All on Brightspace)
View: Crack and Race NETFLIX SPECIAL
Week 5: Transnational Drug Trade
Read: Dreamland, 1-100, and Read: Plan Colombia Report on Brightspace
Week Six: Opiates in US
Read: Dreamland, 101-150; and 150-175
Week 7: WAR ON DRUGS
Read Dreamland, 176-FINISH
Richard Nixon, Message to Congress http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=3048
Week 8: Pharmaceuticals
Read: Courtwright, 135 – 165.
Watch documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed: https://www.amazon.com/All-Beauty-Bloodshed-Nan-Goldin/dp/B0B7CJVP32
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
Policies
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Assignments
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Proctored Examinations
Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.
Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.
Exam Attempts Policy
Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.
All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Length
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.
- Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
- Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.
Withdrawal and Refund Policies
Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.
Grade Policy
Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
Transcripts
Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.