Drugs in History

This course introduces foundational historical, anthropological, and sociological concepts that help students understand various contemporary phenomena they encounter in daily life. The primary focus is on analyzing how both licit and illicit drugs function as "technologies" within specific social contexts and subcultures. Students will explore what drug policy reveals about social, political, and economic structures, as well as the impacts of biomedical knowledge and practices on different population groups. The course will also examine the representation of drug use and users in popular culture, science, medicine, history, and the social sciences, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding drug-related issues.