Course Description - goals, book, attendance, grading, expectations, contact info.
Tentative Class Schedule
Grade Postings (Grading Code Collection Form)
Send Dr. Plonsky Email using a web form.

Online Resources Related to the Lecture Topics
Articles (access limited to the UWSP Campus)
Textbook Website - includes online quizzes & study aids.

B. BOOK
The required text (available in the college bookstore) is: Hanson, G. R., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2009). Drugs and Society (10-th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Note that you are also required to read some additional articles as we encounter them in the lectures.

C. ATTENDANCE
While I do not formally take attendance, it is unlikely that you will do well in the course if your attendance is poor. This is due to the fact that the exams include some material only presented during class sessions. If you miss a class, it will be to your benefit to find out what occurred during that class from a classmate. Note that when this class meets once each week, missing a class is missing a week. Most of the text for multimedia slides used in lecture are available below in a format that can be read by most word processors.

D. GRADING POLICY

• Four exams will be given. Each will consist of 50 multiple choice questions. Each exam will mainly cover material since the previous exam. Your grade is primarily determined by the average of these 4 exam scores.
• You will be responsible for both the assigned readings and the lecture material. Many students dislike the reading. I am sorry if you do. Nevertheless, I must prepare you to learn independently. Reading about the material in all its detail is a necessary skill in this regard.
• I will post exam scores on the web a couple of days after each of the exams for students who give me a code to do so.
• Bring a couple of Number 2 pencils for the exams. If you are wearing a hat with a brim, I will ask you to turn it around or take it off when taking exams. Music players (e.g. ipods) are not allowed during exams.
• Cheating on an exam will lead to an automatic failure of that exam and possibly other penalties.
• Failure to show up for an exam results in failure of that exam. If you must miss an exam, written documentation of the emergency will be required.
• If you wish to reschedule an exam, send me an email no more than one week prior to the occurance of the exam . I will then send you an email with the times that the psychology department has available for make-up exams (typically there are 3 times available each week). Your reply to my email with your choice of a date & time will then serve as my reminder to give the proctor your exam. You are allowed to reschedule an exam in this manner one time in a given semester before written documentation is required. Note that if your cumulative grade in the class is less than a 'B-', you should not postpone an exam.
• There is no provision for "extra projects" to improve grades. However, I MAY increase your grade beyond that which is indicated by the arithmetic average of your test scores for any of the following reasons:
  • constructive class participation
  • improvement over the semester
  • one test score that is significantly lower than the other three
• Concerning withdrawing from a class, it must be done in a timely manner in accordance with published deadlines. Failure to do so could result in a failing grade or the loss of reimbursable tuition fees. 

E. EXPECTATIONS
What I expect from you:

1. That you have completed General Psychology (PSYC110) as a prerequisite for this class. If you have not, you will be dropped from this class..
2. To agree to study this syllabus carefully (ASAP) & refer to it when questions arise about the class.
3. To acknowledge that effort, by itself, is not enough to justify a worthy grade. In other words, you are graded primarily on the merit of your performance in the class rather than the amount of effort you put into the class.
4. To acknowledge that previous academic preparation (e.g., biology, math, etc.) matters. Those who are better prepared are likely to do better in the class.
5. To attend class & give your full attention to the material, as well as conduct yourself in an appropriate manner (e.g., not having personal conversations during lectures or performing other activities that disrupt the class).
6. To meet the obligations of the course (e.g., reading, assignments, etc.) and not make excuses for your failure to do so.
7. To treat everyone in class, including the professor, with respect.
8. To check your university email account several times per week. I will let you know when grades are posted & make other announcements via this medium (e.g., if I need to cancel a class, I will send an email early that morning).
9. To not plagiarize or otherwise steal the work of others.
10. To understand & adhere to the UWSP Student Rights & Responsibilities. 
11. To turn off or silence cell phones when in class.

What you can expect from me:

1. To manage the class in a professional manner. This may include educating you in appropriate classroom behavior.
2. To prepare carefully for each class & begin & end it on time.
3. To try to learn your name (if class size permits) & to recognize your individuality & treat you with respect, as well as to be honest with you.
4. To treat all students equally. Thus, I will not discriminate on the basis of your identity, appearance, gender, race, creed, color, viewpoints, disability, whether I like you or not, or anything else.
5. To have 3 office hours each week during which you are welcome to stop by (no appointment necessary). See contact info for more detail.
6. To give grades primarily based on the quality of your work.
7. To return your grades quickly (with your permission) & with detailed feedback. For example, I will provide you with an overall estimate of your grade prior to the 10th week of the semester drop deadline.
8. To be honest about what I know. If I do not know something, I will say so.
9. To treat any plagiarism, cheating, or other violations of academic integrity harshly.
10. To silence my cell phone when in class.

F. CONTACT INFORMATION
My office is located in Science B-341. I will have office hours on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:00 p.m. and 3:30-4:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 11-12:00 noon, and Thursdays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. or you can arrange to see me at some other mutually convenient time. Note that my office hours do NOT require an appointment. If my door is closed, please knock. You can see a visual of my schedule here. You can reach me at 346-3961 (and please leave a message if I'm not available) or through electronic mail at mplonsky@uwsp.edu. You can also send me email using a web form. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

1. Use the “Subject:” line. It should summarize the point of the email in a couple of words.
2. Tell me which class is involved. I typically teach 3 classes & have about 200 students each semester.
3. Write professionally. In other words, use whole words and sentences, unlike texting where you might use the minimal amount of letters you can get away with.
4. Here are two worthy websites reagrding this issue:
   Netiquette by C. Pirillo
   Tips for Better E-mail Etiquette by L. Stack, MBA, CSP

Tentative Class Schedule

WK	DATE	LECTURE TOPIC	READINGS	WEB
				Public	Local
1	9/6	Orientation	Chapter 1
2	9/13	Introduction	Chapter 2
3	9/20	Placebos	pps. 426-450
4	9/27	Basic Pharmacology	Chapter 5
9/27		EXAM 1
5	10/4	Basic Biopsychology	Chapter 4
6	10/11	Ergotropics & Nootropics	pps. 116-118, 414-426.
		Sedatives	Chapter 6 (except pps. 146-149)
7	10/18	Inhalants	Chapter 14
8	10/25	Alcohol	Chapter 7 & 8
10/25		EXAM 2
9	11/1	Analgesics	Chapter 9, pps. 382-384.
		Stimulants	Chapter 10
10	11/8	Tobacco	Chapter 11
11	11/15	OTC Drugs	Chapter 15
12	11/22	Psychiatric Drugs	pps. 146-149
11/22		EXAM 3
-- Turkey Day --
13	11/29	Hallucinogens	Chapter 12
14	12/6	Marijuana	Chapter 13
15	12/13	Laws	Chapter 3
12/19-Mo		EXAM 4 (5-6:00 p.m.) Note that since the exam is only one hour, it will be held from 5-6:00 p.m. rather than 5-7:00 p.m. as indicated in the timetable.