Drug Policy and the War on Drugs: A Classroom Debate

Abstract

The objective of this classroom activity is to familiarize students with current drug policy and the United States’ War on Drugs. When asked, most students agree that possession or distribution of certain drugs should be criminalized. However, there is mounting evidence that the War on Drugs is not an effective tool for fighting the "drug problem" in...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminology/Delinquency

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

College 200

Class Size(s):

Medium

Usage Notes

This assignment was created as part of a graduate level sociology course on College Teaching.

The instructor should split the class up into 3-6 groups depending on class size. The recommended group size is anywhere from five to ten students. This activity is recommended for a class of 50 or fewer students, and for a course level of 200 or...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1:Students will be able to explain marijuana policy in X state (the state where the college is located is recommended so that students can familiarize themselves with policies that directly apply to them), and will understand some of the criticisms
2. Students will be able to consider alternatives to current drug policy and will create new policy based on outside research and course lectures.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Assessment 1: This goal will be assessed through the students’ ability to construct policy and create effective arguments within the context of their debate and in their response papers. Students will use verbal, writing, and critical thinking skills.
2. Assessment 2: This goal will be assessed through the students’ ability to construct and articulate a new drug policy and through their debate with other students defending the policy they create. Students will use verbal and critical thinking skills.