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Departmental Syllabus for DAAC 1304 (formerly MHT 2342)
Pharmacology of Addictions

I. Course Description
This course provides an overview of the psychological, physiological, and sociological effects of mood altering substances and behaviors, and their implications for the addiction process are discussed. Emphasis is placed on pharmacological effects of tolerance, dependency/withdrawal, cross addiction, and drug interaction.

II. Required Background
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Human Services Program or permission of the program coordinator

III. Texts, Other Reference Materials

• Required: Ray, O. & Kasir, C, (2008). Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, (12th ed.). McGraw Hill Publishers.

Additional texts and/or reference materials, determined appropriate by the program coordinator/course instructor may be required.  

IV. Methods of Instruction
            Instruction, as determined by the instructor, may consist of:

• Lecture/Discussion
• Demonstrations
• Student Participation/Reports
• Role Playing/Student Involvement
• Internet assignments and postings

V. Course Content

• Legal and non-legal drugs and their use
• Effects of drugs on the body/mind
• Laws and enforcement on drugs and the effects
• Classification of psychoactive drugs
• Sedative-hypnotic compounds
• Physiology of the nerve cell
• Basic anatomy of the nervous system
• The Dose-response relationship
• Synaptic transmission and transmitters
• Neurological drugs
• Prescription drugs and abuse

VI. Learning Outcomes

The student should be able to recognize and explain the different classifications of mood altering/addictive substances, their psychological, physiological and social affects, and the affects of mood altering/addictive behaviors.   

Performance Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Outline the components of the automatic and central nervous system and explain their general functions in relation to drug use and misuse.
• Explain the physiological effects of drugs or addictive behavior on the major systems of the body.
• Explain the psychological effects of drugs or addictive behavior on the major systems of the body.
• Explain the psychological effects of drugs or addictive behavior on the major systems of the body.
• Explain the social effects of drugs or addictive behavior on the major systems of the body.
• Identify classes of psychoactive drugs.
• List the schedules and explain concepts of the Controlled Substance Act.
• Define and accurately use terms common to drug use, misuse, and drug action. 

Additional objectives may be added by the course instructor. 
            Measurement of student competency or learning outcome may include:  

• Written Examination (consisting of essay and objective questions)
• Practice Exercises
• Research Paper
• Class Participation
• Comprehensive Final Examination
• Internet assignments/postings

Additional measurement criteria may be used at the discretion of the instructor. 
SCANS Competencies: See attached for a list of competencies related to the workplace as outlined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 

VII.  Course requirements and grade computation.  

A. College Requirements:
A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations or measures are given/utilized at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B.  Departmental Requirement: 
Examinations, to include the comprehensive final exam, may consist of essay and/or objective questions, oral examination methods and/or performance measures. 

C.  Instructor Requirements:
                        To be determined by the assigned instructor.     

VIII.      College Policies:

A.         San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B.         Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998.  (The instructor may set standard for children in the classroom as they determine appropriate.)

C.         ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D.         A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E.         Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting
in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F.         Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. (College Academic Council, 01/ 2000)
            (The instructor may set additional requirements determined to be appropriate.)

G.         San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.  Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W’ (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H.         San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I.          ACCD DPS Important Phone Numbers:
ACCD DPS Emergency Phone   (210) 222-0911
ACCD DPS General Phone        (210) 485-0099
ACCD DPS Weather Phone       (210) 485-0189 (For information on college closures)

• Students must also abide by the policies, procedures and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin, www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf , and any additional policies, procedures, and rules determined appropriate by the instructor.