Formatting and Style for Required Papers

Papers must be formatted using the guidelines established by APA and the MLA

• 1-inch margins on all sides (change default settings on word processing software if needed)
• 12 point Times New Roman font
• Running Header (appears at top of every page): For this class use - Name, SCH150, Date paper turned in
• Page number in footer on bottom right of page
• Double Spaced with Left Justification (the right side appears "ragged" and uneven)
• Indent first line of every paragraph inch

Formatting, grammar and spelling are worth 10 points of paper grade!

In this paper, return back to the initial Drug Education Autobiography paper completed at the beginning of the semester. Read through the contents of that paper and complete the following:

Now having completed the course, this paper aims to serve as a self-reflective activity to demonstrate in what ways your knowledge and perspectives may have changed.

This paper will focus on your education in psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco, legal and illegal drugs) through direct and observational learning since the taking this class

• Direct Learning: information is given directly to the person (e.g. parents to kids, friends to each other, teachers to students, self-instruction)
• Observational Learning: information is acquired by watching other people's behiavor (and its consequences) in real life (or simulation of real life, e.g. film)
• Discussion of personal substance use is not required and is not expected.

The final paper should be at least 5-7 pages (additional components have been added that extend beyond the initial drug education autobiography assignment).

Opening of paper(10 points): 1-2 pages

• Open with an brief discussion
  • restate why you initially took this course (e.g., required, suggested by an advisor, liberal studies elective)
  • reflect on what your initial sense of knowledge was about psychoactive substances and how this may have changed since completing this course
  • discuss what you have learned about drug policy, prevention, and treatment aapproaches - how are these different from what you knew before taking the class

Main Body of paper(30 points): 2 pages

• Looking over the semester, reflect on what you learned about psychoactive substances through direct and observational learning. Often we begin to seek out new information, gather information from new sources or from sources in different ways (e.g. perhaps since learning of you taking this class family members have spoken to you about substance use, education, prevention, and treatment). At least 2 of the following areas must be discussed
• Home Education: Parents, caretakers, siblings, family
• Formal Education: Learning in school (not including this class) or from teachers/educators?
• Social Education: Through friends and others around you
• Media Education: Exposure to information through TV, movies, music videos, music, etc.

Closing of paper(50 points): 2-3 pages

• Since completing this class, discuss how your attitudes about psychoactive substances may or may not have changed. What influenced your most in the re-assessing of your attitudes? (provide examples)
• Reflecting on the "advice"/"education" you initial mentioned you would or have provided to others, has this now changed? Why or why not? If so, what advice would you now give to a family member or friend?
• Thinking ahead, if you were to advocate for social change around substance use policy or practices to your local city council member, the mayor, or other political figure, what would you tell them to focus their efforts on as strategies to address potential concerns around psychoactive substance use?
• Close with thoughts on writing this reflection (e.g., what you learned about yourself, thought about in completing a self-reflection on how you may or may not have changed from taking this class)