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Sociology of Drugs: Why do we do what we do?HTHI 12th grade Government/SociologyResearch Paper Outline

Overview:

For our Sociology of drugs unit, every student will be required to write a short researchpaper on a drug that they choose to focus on. Their subject could be everything fromover the counter medications, prescription drugs, to caffeine or controlled substances.Once your topic has been approved, you will need to research and write a paperanalyzing why people choose to use the drug youre studying. Looking at this throughthe sociological lens of conformity and deviance may be helpful in your analysis. Youalso will want to gain a greater understanding of the history, uses, effects, addictivenature, sociological context (is/was the drug used in ritualistic ways, in a common way inthe society, for health reasons), etc.

The research paper will be used to guide the short story you will be writing later in thisunit. You must have some background information and factual knowledge to create a

believable plot and storyline. Our ultimate goal with this project will be to answer thequestion of why we do what we do. Why do we, as a society and as individuals, makethe choice to use drugs that may be unhealthy and/or illegal? Why do we rely onprescription medications so much when preventative health may be able to minimize thisnecessity? Why do people go to such great lengths risking life, employment, family, etc.to feed an addiction to an illicit substance? What are the sociological factors at play thatenable and/or inhibit people in our society from making these choices? These are all theover-arching questions we will be exploring in this unit.

Paper guideline

For the research paper, you must answer the following questions. I will be looking for

papers that show in-depth knowledge, well thought out structure and a high level ofsynthesis and analysis in the paper. I dont simply want a regurgitation of facts you findon a website. Im looking for you to take those facts, think about them, and use them todevelop ideas as to why people make the choices they do. This is a complex, interestingissue. The answer as to why a person or a group of people make the choices they do touse or abuse a drug can be varied, complex, and interesting. Your paper should reflectthat.

The paper should address the following:

1. History and development of the druga. Where did the drug come from? What are its uses historically? Has it

always been an accepted and commonly used drug in the societies thatcultivated/manufactured it? Trace its use from discovery until present day.

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2. Uses of the drug

a. For what purpose was the drug originallycultivated/developed/manufactured? How has that changed if at all sinceits original development?

3. Effects of the drug

a. What are the effects of the drug on a human? How does it affect thecentral nervous system? Other parts of the body? How does the activecomponent of the drug react chemically in the body?

b. Is the drug addictive? Why?

4. Present Contexta. How is the drug currently used in modern U.S. society? Is it accepted as

part of the norms of our culture? Is the use of it considered deviant? Whyor why not? What are the effects of its use on the society at large? Has itsuse created a drain on resources (efforts to control/enforce laws, i.e.)?How might that be remedied?

b. What is the economic impact of the sale of this drug on the U.S. market

(whether black market or not)?

5. Why do people or groups of people choose to use/abuse the drug you have inquestion?

a. Your paper should include an intro and closing paragraph with a thesisstatement that answers this question. Your thesis should be supported bythe analysis of your research (synthesis of what you found).

Resources:http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/http://www.facts.comhttp://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/websites.htm

http://www.questia.com/library/sociology-and-anthropology.jsphttp://www.procon.org

You must use at least 4 outside sources (articles must be submitted with your paper),and should probably be approximately 4 pages.You must also have a works cited page.

It is due on Monday, March 16 th. Rough drafts should be submitted on Wednesday,March 11th.

The research paper is worth 75 points.

http://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/websites.htmhttp://www.questia.com/library/sociology-and-anthropology.jsphttp://www.sac.edu/students/library/nealley/websites.htmhttp://www.questia.com/library/sociology-and-anthropology.jsp