HSW711 - Responding to Trauma, Grief and Loss
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Online with significant campus requirements (see in-person attendance requirements) |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Tamara Holmes |
| Cohort rule | This unit is only available to students enrolled in H703 |
| Prerequisite | HSW703 |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment | Online independent and collaborative learning activities will support learning across the trimester. |
| In-person attendance requirements | All students must attend a compulsory 3 day intensive during Week 4 of Trimester 1 at the Geelong Waterfront Campus at which core practical learning requirements will be taught. 2026 intensive dates and locations information will be available mid November.
|
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit explores a range of critical social work theories and approaches to understanding and responding to trauma, grief and loss, including more traditional individualised approaches, as well as critical and postmodern approaches. The implications of using contrasting theoretical frameworks to inform social work practice are explored in relation to a range of different trauma, grief and loss experiences including mental and other health issues, work with refugees and asylum seekers, bereavement, sexual assault, abuse, and domestic violence. A lifespan perspective is interwoven throughout the unit, to consider trauma, loss and grief experienced by children, young adults and aged persons.
Students are encouraged to draw on the skills and knowledge of social work method and process developed in a previous practice unit (HSW703). The unit also explores trauma, grief and loss experienced by whole communities, through transgenerational trauma, and disasters such as bushfire and flood, as well as terrorism and mass violence. A further area of trauma, grief and loss – disenfranchised grief – is also considered. Throughout the unit, students are encouraged and guided to engage in critical reflection on their own values, ethics and assumptions around trauma, loss and grief.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe and differentiate between a range of theoretical approaches to trauma grief and loss. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Critically reflect on own values and beliefs around trauma, grief and loss. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Articulate the link between theory and practice in relation to working with diverse individuals and communities around trauma, grief and loss, in a particular social work setting. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Demonstrate integration of theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of ethical issues and responsibilities involved in working with trauma, grief and loss. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Integrate an awareness of the experience of trauma, grief and loss affecting individuals and communities across fields of practice and the lifespan. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Journal entries | 4 entries Total: 2500 words | 50% |
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| Assessment 2: Video role play and written critical analysis | Video: 12-15 minutes Written critical analysis: 1500 words | 50% |
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The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirements
- Attendance at a 3 day intensive (practical experience workshop) held during trimester at Waterfront Campus.
2025 Intensive dates information is available here.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for HSW711 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.