Module Specifications..
Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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Coursework Only |
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Description In contemporary societies, drug use is variously a pervasive part of everyday life, a symbol of deviance, an aspect of one's identity, a pleasurable activity, a sociable activity, a medical necessity, a means of enhancement, a source of harm, a commercial opportunity and a focus for dispute. Using particular songs from popular music as a starting point, we explore all these aspects of drug use and deal with some fundamental questions about human nature, freedom, responsibility and risk-taking. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Explore arguments about normalisation and normality in relation to both recreational drug use and the use of medications. 2. Discuss the value of a 'rational approach' to the evaluation of drug-related harms 3. Examine the uses of prohibition in the field of drugs policy 4. Explore libertarian arguments in favour of drug legalisation 5. Examine the case for harm reduction and the decriminalisation of illicit drug use 6. Explore arguments about the power of drugs to implicate people in addiction. 7. Consider the relations between alcohol and pleasure. 8. Examine arguments about the uses of medication and how this relates to population health 9. Explore the ethics of drug-assisted human enhancement. 10. Reflect upon the pervasiveness of drug use in contemporary culture by reference to popular music. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
"Everyone's At It": How normal is drug use?By reference to a Lily Allen song, we explore the following questions: What counts as drug use? What are the range of drug uses within contemporary societies? How "normal" is it to use drugs? What are the implications of drug use as normal?"How could you leave us?": Drug-related harms and risksBy reference to a song by NF, we explore the questions of how much harm is associated with drug use, what kinds of harm, how much risk of such harm and how to think about such risks."White Lines": Drug prohibition consideredBy reference to the classic Grandmaster Flash song, we consider prohibition policies as a way of dealing with drug-related harms and risks. How effective are such policies? How does this vary? Is there a case for a nuanced approach and partial prohibitions?"Legalize It": Drug use and individual freedomBy reference to a Peter Tosh song, we examine some arguments about the legalisation of drugs. Is there a case for the free availability of particular drugs- like cannabis- that are currently illegal in Ireland? More fundamentally, what about the argument that all drugs should be available to adults as a matter of individual freedom?"Rehab": Harm reduction and decriminalisationTaking the Amy Winehouse song as a starting point, we explore harm reduction as an ethical and pragmatic approach to drug-related harms. How did harm reduction develop as a standpoint? How does it relate to issues of stigmatisation and drug use? How does it relate to decriminalisation? How effective is decriminalisation and in what circumstances?"Drug Ballad": Can drugs "get a hold" on us?Considering the theme of an Eminem song, we address questions of the "power" of drugs to oblige people to act in particular ways. What is the significance of the distinction between "drug habits" and "drug addiction"? How do people "become" addicts? Is this simply a matter of the pharmacological actions of particular drugs that render people "dependent"? Is becoming an addict to be understood as a social process whereby issues of identity, place and life opportunities are at stake? How are we to understand recovery in the context of these questions?"Cheers (Drink To That)": Alcohol and pleasureTaking a cue from a Rihanna song, we consider questions to do with alcohol and pleasure: Is it possible to separate such pleasure from harm? Is "responsible drinking" an answer? How are we to view intoxication as a feature of fun, celebration, parties, events, holidays and so on? How is the idea of alcohol-related pleasure significant for the whole system of production, supply, consumption, and marketing of alcohol? How are the pleasures of alcohol experienced by non-drinkers?"Drug Dealer": Health and the pharmaceutical industryPrompted by a Macklemore song, we explore some critical questions to do with the pharmaceutical industry: How are we to view the commercial logic that shapes this industry? What implications does this have for the health, and health needs, of populations? Why is there a continuing increase in the amount of prescriptions per head of populations and in spending on pharmaceuticals?"Antidepressants are so not a big deal": Why is antidepressant use increasing?Referencing a song from "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend", we wonder about the increasing prevalence of antidepressant use in contemporary societies and address the following questions: Do antidepressants work? If so, to what extent and for what reasons? What adverse effects are associated with antidepressant use? How convincing are accounts of depression as a brain disorder characterised by serotonin depletion? How is medicalisation relevant to increasing antidepressant use?"White Rabbit": Using drugs to enrich experience or enhance abilitiesBeginning with a video of Jefferson Airplane at Woodstock, we consider the use of drugs for enrichment or enhancement. How are we to regard the use of drugs for spiritual enrichment, openness to experience or self-transformation? And what about performance enhancement drugs in sport? Should they continue to be prohibited or are there grounds for allowing them? Is it defensible to use cognitive enhancement drugs to improve academic performance? And could or should drugs be used so that human beings can be happier, more confident, more caring or more moral? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of Last Revision | 07-FEB-12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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