“We’ve become a nation of drug and alcohol addicts, and it is destroying millions of lives and families, and harming countless communities and cities.” – Jeff Nesbit, U.S. News

The negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse is staggering, and it only seems to be getting worse. A 2016 report from the Surgeon General claims the country spends $442 billion a year in dealing with drug and alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol and drug misuse and related disorders are major public health challenges that are taking an enormous toll on individuals, families, and society,” according to the Surgeon General’s report. “Neighborhoods and communities as a whole are also suffering as a result of alcohol- and drug-related crime and violence, abuse and neglect of children, and the increased costs of health care associated with substance misuse.”

SOCY 374: Drugs and Alcohol in Society provides an overview of the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug abuse from the sociological perspective.  

Examine how society, family, peers, ethnicity and the media influences drug use, and discover the historical framework of certain individual drugs.

Explore theories of addiction, theories of use, use within subcultures, drug policy, and the relationship between substance abuse and crime, as well as discuss/debate a variety of controversial topics such as the effectiveness of the War on Drugs, harm reduction, and legalization.

SOCY 374 is a completely online course.

Register October 22 – January 2.

It’s safe to say that television in some way shape or form has influenced a large majority of the country directly and indirectly. Television both in the 20th and 21st centuries is among the most influential technological mediums due to its profound impact on a variety of topics such as advertising, entertainment, and communication. But if this medium is to be considered among the most influential technological mediums what else and how else could it have had an influence on American culture?

AMST 320: Television in American Culture is a 3 credit course designed around examining the “what else” and “how else” television has affected American Culture. Students in this course will  investigate the economic, social, and artistic implications television has in the United States. This course looks at how this medium’s constant evolution has led to the shaping of United States’ culture in a variety of ways including those listed above. This course will allow you to take deep dive into not only how the television in the past 70+ years has evolved as a medium but also its impact on society as a whole. The course highlights key elements such as a look at the emphasis on rating systems and their influence on production, the philosophies and strategies behind programming, analytical deliberation and much more.

AMST 320’s hybrid format is designed to encourage in-class engagement and participation, as well as strengthen computer literacy and self-management.  AMST 320 also satisfies Arts & Humanities GEP credit towards your graduation.

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