PSYC095

Description

What is a drug? How do different drugs work in the brain to impact thought and behavior or treat illness? Why are some drugs touted as miracles whilst others are banned and stigmatized? What is the history of the discovery and use in society and medicine of these drugs? For example, why was Valium nicknamed "mother's little helper" in the 1960s? We will examine drugs from a neural psychopharmacology perspective while also learning important skills related to research, discussion, and inquiry in the First-Year Intensive. Thus, our goals are (1) to understand the different types of drugs, how they act on the brain, and social and historical connotations associated with the drug classes, (2) to learn how to read, synthesize, and discuss original source materials, and (3) to learn to put inquiry to work to create presentations and products that convey ideas in APA format. This course is for first-year students only.