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Featured Courses

1

Psychoactive Substances in American Culture

Is drug discovery shaping how we define disease? Is addiction a disease or a result of consumer culture? "Psychoactive Substances in American Culture" explores drug use in America—from chocolate to marijuana—and examines how societal views and policies reflect social change. The course compares American and European drug policies, focusing on how politics and the market influence perceptions and regulations of both legal and illegal drugs through historical, economic, and sociological perspectives.

2

Music and Medicine Across Cultures

This course examines how music and dance relate to health, illness, and healing across cultures, using anthropological, ethnomusicological, and historical perspectives. Students will explore case studies worldwide, focusing on "Western" and "non-Western" medicine and their interactions. The course challenges assumptions of modern Western medicine, broadening perspectives on health and healing while encouraging critical thinking and cultural sensitivity, particularly for future medical professionals.

3

The Mediterranean Diet
The Global History and Politics of a Dietary Gold Standard

How did the Mediterranean diet become the “gold standard” for healthy eating in 21st-century America? This course examines the Mediterranean Diet’s past, present, and future, asking how we can even refer to the Mediterranean diet when more than 20 nations surround the Mediterranean Sea. Students will examine the Mediterranean region and the changing geopolitical, climatic, cultural, historical, economic, nutritional, and health considerations that have shaped the Mediterranean style of living and eating for millennia, with a special focus on the 20th and 21st centuries.

Teaching Testimonies from Students

This course has honestly become one of my favorite classes I've taken at OU because of the emphasis on open discussion, the importance of the topic, and the interesting, applicable readings we engaged with throughout the semester. Dr. Tracy is absolutely amazing, and she guides discussions surrounding difficult topics, like addiction and mental health, with grace and compassion. I loved the emphasis on media and culture through the Newspaper Article assignments, Music Presentations, and various movies we watched throughout the course. I also loved the guest speakers, who all brought a unique perspective on the topic of psychoactive substances.

Psychoactive Substances Fall 2024

Full curriculum vitae available on request swtracy@ou.edu

List of all courses taught available on CV

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