Foundations of Psychedelic Studies is not your average class.

EPF 420H, an honors course, focuses on the history of psychedelic drugs, and the affect of these drugs on the mind and body.

The class tackles misconceptions commonly associated with psychedelic drugs and focuses on all sorts of drugs including ecstasy, LSD, opium, marijuana and heroin, among others.

Thomas Roberts, the class instructor, said EPF 420H fulfills a seminar requirement that juniors in the honors program have to take.
EPF 420H is the first class of its kind, he said.

“Northern is the first university to offer a course specializing in psychedelics,” Roberts said. “The class also allows for a large amount of student-selected readings and reports and lots of discussion of student questions.”

The class also uses supplemental learning tools such as additional books and videos. Roberts said that psychedelic drugs can serve constructive uses.

“The constructive uses are the ones that are done under the guidance of qualified guides, mental health professionals for psychotherapy and religious-spiritual guides for religious uses,” Roberts said.

Nicole Gregus, a junior art education major, enjoys the subject matter and finds the class satisfying.

“Learning about something that is so stigmatized in the university setting is quite refreshing,” Gregus said. “This class introduces students to a lot of information and facts that we have been traditionally taught to ignore.”
Brandon Freeman, a freshman pre-med major, feels the class helps break stereotypes commonly associated with psychedelic drugs.

“It really shows you that there is a completely different viewpoint of how America presents their view on drugs,” Freeman said.

The course number, 420, is traditionally thought of as a big day in drug culture. The class number is simply a coincidence however, Roberts said.

“Originally, I had it as 419 (April 19) which is a holiday I invented to commemorate Albert Hofmann’s first intentional LSD exposure,” Roberts said. “But my department already had a 419, so my assistant chair moved it up to 420. At that time neither she nor I knew about the connection with 420. A humorous cosmic coincidence, I guess.”

Note: Every week, the Northern Star sends a reporter to cover an interesting or weird class at NIU. If you think your class fits the interesting or weird criteria we are looking for in our Class of the Week section, e-mail the course number, name and section number to eic@northernstar.info. Check back next Thursday for a new Class of the Week.

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