Department of Justice, Law and Society
School of Public Affairs
The American University
Spring 1999
73.301.01 - DRUGS, CONSCIOUSNESS,
AND HUMAN FULFILLMENT
Wednesdays, 11:20 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Ward 103
Faculty: Dr. Jeffrey A. Schaler
Office: Ward 216
Telephone: (301) 585-5664 in Silver Spring,
Md.,
E-mail: jschale@american.edu
http://www.schaler.net
Office hours: (by appointment)
Course Description
[From the catalogue: Positive approaches to
achieving alternative states of consciousness
with and without drugs; the nonaddictive use of
addicting drugs; a balanced assessment of the
latest findings on the dangers and benefits of
the most widely used nonopiate recreational
drugs, such as marijuana, tobacco, caffeine,
alcohol, quaaludes, and cocaine; choices for
individuals and society regarding the use and
control of the substances.]
Most people believe alcohol and illegal
drugs cause "addiction." They believe
"addiction" is involuntary and characterized
by "loss of control" over alcohol and drug
consumption. They also believe addiction is a
"treatable disease." If you challenge those
ideas, you are likely to be labeled ignorant
at best and a heretic at worst. In this
course you will comprehend the fiction about
drugs and addiction masquerading as fact, and
the fact about drugs and addiction most people
regard as fiction.
Together, we will examine accurate versus
inaccurate definitions of addiction. We will
review empirical evidence supporting the idea
that people use drugs to change their perception
of themselves and the world for existential and
psychological reasons, not necessarily for
chemical or biological reasons. And we will
investigate the scientific validity of the claim
that addiction is a treatable disease.
We will also examine the religious, moral,
and ethical bases of drug use, e.g. how alcohol
and drug use becomes a "central activity" in a
person's life--and why. We will review how
illegal mind-altering drugs and their users are
victims of religious and political persecution.
And, drawing on philosophical, psychoanalytic,
sociological, and psychological perspectives, we
will investigate existential explanations for
why people choose to use drugs as a way to
attempt to "escape" from reality. The semester
ends by focusing on what it means to be an
autonomous, "heroic," or "self-actualized"
person.
In this course you will learn (1) how drug
use is a way to avoid coping with life; (2) how
drug use is a form of self-deception; (3) how
drug use is a religious activity; (4) how
treatment for addiction is a religious activity;
(5) how thinking about drug addiction as a
disease is a form of self-deception; (6) a
Buddhist perspective on contemporary psychology
and psychiatry to increase understanding of
self-imposed suffering and problems-in-living
usually labeled "mental illness"; (7) new ways
of self-examination leading to greater
consciousness and human fulfillment.
Lecture and discussion format.
Course Objectives
1. To improve the studentUs scientific and
psychologically-oriented thinking about drugs,
consciousness and human fulfillment.
2. To evaluate the evidence supporting and contesting
the idea that addiction exists, is characterized by
involuntariness, and is treatable.
3. To explore the sociological basis for mainstream
ideas about addiction, with particular emphasis on the
nature and practice of scapegoating.
4. To understand what happens in involuntary
treatment for drug addiction.
5. To understand philosophical, psychoanalytic, and
psychological perspectives on why people choose to use
mind-altering drugs.
6. To comprehend the meaning of being an
existentially-"heroic" individual.
7. To learn about Buddhist perspectives on human
suffering and their relation to contemporary
western psychological perspectives.
8. To develop skill in debating these and related
controversial issues in public policy settings.
Required Texts
Becker, E. (1997). The denial of death. New York:
Free Press
Fingarette, H. (1988). Heavy drinking: The myth of
alcoholism as a disease. Berkeley, Ca. Univ. of
Ca. Press
Leifer, R. (1997). The happiness project:
Transforming the three poisons that cause the
suffering we inflict on ourselves and others.
Ithaca, N.Y.: Snow Lion Press.
Szasz, T. (1985). Ceremonial chemistry: The ritual
persecution of drugs, addicts, and pushers.
Revised edition. Holmes Beach, Fl.: Learning
Publications, Inc.
Course Requirements and Grades
First position paper 10%
Mid-term examination 30%
Second position paper 10%
Final examination 45%
Class participation 5%
Total = 100%
First position paper: Five typewritten pages
max. You are to argue that drugs cause addiction,
that addiction is involuntary, and that treatment for
addiction works--and why a course like this is
"dangerous" for college students.
Second position paper: Five typewritten pages
max. You are to write about how your views on drugs
and consciousness have changed or not changed since
you've been in this class.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Date Topic Reading
January 20 Drugs as scapegoat Szasz ix-60
January 27 Drugs and medicine Szasz 61-124
as magic
February 3 Medicine as social Finish Szasz
control
February 10 Myths of alcoholism Fingarette,
Part 1
February 17 Drinking as way of life Finish
Fingarette
February 24 What is "treatment"? Lecture and
Treatment as religious handouts
activity
March 3 Film -- 1st paper due
March 10 Mid-term examination -- Essay
March 17 Spring break, no class
March 24 Depth psychology of Becker ix-124
heroism
March 31 The failures of heroism Becker 125-252
April 7 The dilemmas of heroism Becker 253- end
April 14 Introduction and the
Buddhist view Leifer 11-122
Western views of
suffering Leifer 123-158
April 21 Western views of
desire Leifer 159-214
Western views of self Leifer 215-264
April 28 Transforming suffering Leifer 265-288
2nd paper due
May 12 Final Examination 11:20 A.M. to
Essay 1:50 P.M.
* Clear and accurate writing will be taken
into account in assigning grades, as well as
participation in class discussions. Material
discussed in class, or in films, and not in
any of the readings, may form the basis for
questions on the examinations. Both exams
are long essay exams. One grade reduction for
over three class absences. Students are
responsible for anything covered in class
during their absence. Readings must be completed
by the session to which they are assigned.
Additional readings may be assigned during the
course. Students are encouraged to form study
groups on their own. Grades: A-=90, B+=89,
B-=80, C+=79, C-=70
Academic Integrity Code
"Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the
University's Academic Integrity Code. It is expected
that all examinations, tests, written papers, and
other assignments will be completed according to the
standards set forth in this code. By registering, you
have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic
Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar
with your rights and responsibilities as defined by
the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code
will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary action
will be taken should such violations occur. Please
see me if you have any questions about the academic
violations described in the Code in general or as they
relate to particular requirements for this course."
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