SOC 261 Cannabis & Society
Fall 2020
T-Th 9:30-10:50am
Synchronous Online Course
Professor
Timothy McGettigan, PhD
Virtual Office Hours: T-Th 8:30-9:30
and by appointment
Phone: 719-549-2416
Email: tmcgett@gmail.com
Brief Course Description
Cannabis is a topic that inspires passion. For many years, Americans were passionately opposed to cannabis. Even today, the Drug Enforcement Administration lists cannabis as a Schedule 1 Drug:
Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote
Controversy persists over the type of threat (if any) that cannabis poses to the general public. Some states, such as Colorado, have repudiated the DEA and legalized medical and recreational cannabis. Schizophrenic dualities in state and federal law call into question the very nature of crime, deviance, and good v. bad medicine with respect to cannabis.
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to explore the complicated relationship between cannabis and society. During the semester we will discuss the past, present and future of cannabis. We will talk about the different ways that cannabis has been perceived as a “socially significant drug” in both a positive and negative sense. We will consider a number of ways that cannabis has sparked various types of social change. By the end of the semester, students will have a broad understanding of cannabis and the important role that it has played in shaping contemporary US society.
Course Reading Materials (all free and online)
Cannabis & Society Presentations
In order to develop an active learning environment, each week small groups of students will begin class by making brief (2-3 min per student) Cannabis & Society presentations. Student presentations will focus on ideas pertaining to that day’s lecture and that endeavor to identify a connection between cannabis and its impacts on the real world. Students should structure their presentations in a tangible fashion, e.g., PowerPoint, paper handout, brief commentary, video, audio, web materials, etc.
Participation
Zoom is weird, but we’re stuck with it. Prof Tim will do his best to create a comfortable two-way flow of thoughts and information.
Exams
There will be two take-home midterm exams during the session (100 points each) and a final exam (150 points). Exams will be long-essay format and will draw heavily upon course content. All students are required to complete all three exams.
Submit Exams Via Email
In order to keep track of midterms and final exams, Prof Tim requests that students submit all exams via email. Students are welcome to submit exams either in the body of an email message or as the attachment. Please submit your exams to the following email address: tmcgett@gmail.com
Attendance
In Prof Tim’s experience, there is a very strong correlation between faithful attendance and educational success.
How to calculate your final grade
ADA Accommodations
If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the Disability Resource Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange accommodations via the Disability Resource Office in LARC 169.
Course Calendar
I am including specific dates for all of the important events during the semester. I will announce any significant alterations to the schedule of events.
8/25 Introduction and Course Overview - The Politics of Cannabis
PoMJ, Preface: Forbidden Knowledge
8/27-9/1 Lecture 1: Cannabis & Society - Ancient Medicine/Nutrient
PoMJ, Section One Introduction
9/3-9/8 Lecture 2: Cannabis Racism - Hating People/Blaming Drugs
Reading: Cannabis’ Racist History
9/10-9/15 Lecture 3: Cannabis vs. Modern Medicine - Prohibition Hysteria
Reading: Cannabis Prohibition & Section Two Introduction
9/17-9/22 Lecture 4: Cannabis & Natural Healing - Mechoulam and New Truths
PoMJ, Section Three Introduction
9/22 First Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
9/24-9/29 Lecture 5: Cannabis, Seizures and CannaMoms - Cannabis Refugees
Reading: The Breakfast of Champions & Mothers on a Mission
10/1-10/6 Lecture 6: Cannabis, Veterans and the VA - PTSD
Reading: Cannabis and the VA
10/8-10/13 Lecture 7: Cannabis & the Endocannabinoid System
Reading: The Endocannabinoid System & Section Four Introduction
10/15-10/20 Lecture 8: Cannabis & Opioids - Gateways or Dead Ends?
Reading: The Relationship Between Cannabis and Opioids
10/22-10/27 Lecture 9: Cannabis & Community Building: The View from Pueblo
Reading: The Impact of Cannabis on Pueblo & Impact Study Executive Summary
10/27 Second Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
10/29-11/3 Lecture 10: Cannabis & Education
Reading: Can CBD Help Your Child?
11/5-11/10 Lecture 11: Cannabis Finance - State and Federal Turf Wars
Webinar: Cannabis Banking Q&A
11/12-11/19 Lecture 12: Cannabis & Post-Hydrocarbon Society
Reading: PoMJ, Section Five Introduction
11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break
12/1-12/3 Lecture 13: Cannabis & Politics - Return to Prohibition?
Reading: PoMJ, Epilogue
12/11 Submit Final Exam by 5pm on Friday, 12/11
Upon completion of the Sociology major, students should be able to:
1. Understand the major theoretical perspectives in sociology through comparing, contrasting, and thinking critically about the roles of these theories in the study of society.
2. Apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the gathering and analysis of sociological data and recognize common methodologies used in sociological literature.
3. Use sociological theories and methods to analyze substantive social issues and problems such as deviance, race, gender, sexuality, and class.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating arguments and evidence related to social issues and by connecting sociological insights to current events and personal experiences of the social world.
Upon completion of the Criminology major, students should be able to demonstrate :
1. A comprehension of and the ability to critically assess and compare the major criminological theoretical perspectives.
2. An ability to understand, interpret, and apply various research methodologies in the field of criminology.
3. An ability to apply criminological theories and methods to substantive issues and in order to understand social problems and inform crime-related social policy.
4. An ability to engage in critical thinking about various aspects of social life and organization, including crime and criminal justice institutions.
Upon completion of the Anthropology minor, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. An understanding and appreciation of human biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural diversity
2. An understanding of the three main anthropological approaches to the study of humanity: cross-cultural comparison, holism, and evolutionary theory, and the uses of each.
3. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess anthropological/archaeological theories, principles, concepts, and research methods
4. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess the role of culture and social structures in shaping individual lives.
5. An ability to critically write and verbally present ideas, critiques, and research within the discipline.
Upon completion of the Women’s Studies minor, students will:
1. Demonstrate working knowledge of women’s participation in, contribution to, and transformation of areas of social life including culture, society, politics, economics, and religion.
2. Demonstrate working knowledge of institutionalized discrimination and violence based on gender.
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of gender from national and global perspectives.
4. Apply the basic concepts, theories and methods in gender studies in national and global contexts.
General education offerings in our programs
CSU-Pueblo General Education and GT pathways designation:
ANTHR 100, Cultural Anthropology
SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology
SOC 201, Social Problems
WS 100, Introduction to Women’s Studies
CSU-Pueblo General Education:
ANTHR 101, Biological Anthropology
ANTHR 101L, Biological Anthropology Lab
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