This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module will be divided into three parts: the first will offer an analysis of current and potential methods of drug control; the second will explore cultural contexts of illicit drug use within modern society; the third will consider and evaluate practical issues facing drug policy makers of today. Each will be considered in a global context. Particular emphasis will be placed on theoretical arguments underpinning the major debates in this field and up-to-date research will be drawn upon throughout.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
BA Criminology and associated courses
BA Cultural Studies and Media and associated courses
BA Sociology and associated courses
Main assessment methods
Coursework - Short Answer Assignment (15%)
Coursework - Essay (3000 words) (85%)
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Blackman S (2004) Chilling Out: the Cultural Politics of Substance Consumption, Youth and Drug Policy. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Gelder K & Thornton S (Eds) (1997) The Subcultures Reader. London: Routledge
Manning P (2007) Drugs and Popular Culture: Drugs, Media and Identity in Contemporary Society. Cullompton: Willan
South N (1999) Drugs: Cultures, Controls and Everyday Life. London: Sage
Thornton S (1995) Club Cultures: Music, Media and Subcultural Capital. Cambridge: Polity Press
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Critically evaluate differing styles of illicit drug control.
8.2 Display a systematic understanding of the links between illicit drugs and cultural contexts.
8.3 Offer systematic and critical analysis of current policy issues in the field of illicit drugs.
8.4 Make links between and critically evaluate important debates in the field of illicit drugs and their theoretical underpinnings.
8.5 Discuss, analyse and critically evaluate illicit drugs issues within a global framework.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Gather appropriate library and web-based resources for undergraduate study; make critical judgments about their merits accurately
utilising techniques for analysing research and empirical data.
9.2 Synthesise and critically evaluate the theoretical contributions of different schools and disciplines of enquiry.
9.3 Demonstrate the ability to use the available evidence to construct and sustain an argument to be presented using a range of methods to
specialist and non-specialist audiences.
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