SWB215 Critical Approaches to Crises, Trauma and Addictions

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit takes a critical approach to the topics of crises, trauma and addictive practices, and follows directly on from SWB221 Politics of Helping. The study of crisis, trauma and 'addictions' is important because many of our clients and the communities we serve, will have experienced high levels of social disadvantage, productive of much trauma and crisis. Trauma, especially the trauma from chronic hardship and abuse, increases the likelihood of people relying on addictive practices to cope, including those with very harmful consequences. Addictive practices, such as those relating to eating/weight, gambling, gaming, hoarding, and substances use will be considered as we ask questions about if and how we might intervene with diverse populations. Critical social work perspectives will be advanced, especially those that help make the connections between personal troubles and social injustice, and different modes and fields of social work practice. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Describe the use of critical social work as it applies to service delivery relating to people who have experienced or are experiencing trauma, addictions and /or crises
2. Demonstrate the major features, principles and practices of critical social work relevant to diverse populations most likely to be affected by trauma, addictions and/or crises
3. Source, appraise and analyse relevant literature to critical social work intervention plans relevant to working with those affected by trauma, addictions and/or crises
4. Using evidence from research and other trusted sources, articulate some of the likely features and trajectories associated with the experience of trauma, addictions and crises
5. Critically analyse and evaluate the major issues and dilemmas, including ethical issues related to working with diverse client groups affected by trauma, addictions and/or crises

Content

Learning Approaches

The teaching approach for this unit is critically informed and involves a range of teaching activities, such as lectures, tutorials, use of Canvas, case scenario, discussions and critical analyses of video excerpts relating to interventions in the area of crises, trauma and/or addictions. Collaboration and critical self-reflection are key.

There will be a lecture series (12 weeks x 2 hrs) and 1 hour tutorials or online discussion board (11 weeks x 1 hr starting week 2). Active participation is required in the tutorials and online discussion boards. Prescribed reading must be done and included in the references you use for your assignments.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback from your tutor and peers in tutorials.

Written feedback on your submitted work will also be provided.

You are also expected to critically reflect on your own experience of crises, trauma and addictions, or lack of it, and what this might mean for your future development. With this, you are also asked to consider how you will use any insights you have derived from your past experience or studies, as well as managing any stereotypes or unhelpful assumptions that you may have brought into the unit.

Assessment

Overview

Each assessment item is designed to assess your application of the knowledge and skills stated in the unit learning outcomes. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach

In this first assignment you will critically examine the topics of crises, trauma and addictions as a prospective social work or human service worker, or helping professional. A choice of essay questions will be provided in the Task Sheet for Assignment 1 that will be uploaded on Canvas. This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Assessment: Critical Intervention Report

In this second assignment you will focus on intervening in a particular situation of crisis, trauma and addiction. You will be provided with a choice of video-recorded interventions conducted with individuals, groups or communities affected by crises, trauma and/or addictions. You are asked to choose one case example to critically analyse in relation to the questions outlined in Assignment 2 Task Sheet uploaded on Canvas. This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

Students who have difficulty dealing with the emotional content of any lecture or video are encouraged to seek appropriate support before or after the class. Trigger warnings will be given in advance of any graphic footage screened.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY45 Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)

1. Describe and evaluate the core scientific perspectives of psychology with reference to theories, methods and research, from diverse perspectives, including first-nations perspectives.
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach, Critical Intervention Report
2. Critically examine the scientific discipline of psychological research and theories using oral, written and digital communication to address psychological issues in a respectful, ethical and professional manner.
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach, Critical Intervention Report
3. Implement a range of digital capabilities to access, examine and utilise evidence-based information in the context of effectively responding to, and communicating, real world problems.
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach, Critical Intervention Report

SW04 Bachelor of Social Work

1. Critique and apply coherent theoretical, practical and contextually relevant social work knowledge, skills and values, and cultivate a commitment toward meeting diverse clients and community needs. [Knowledge, Practice, Values and Disposition]
   Relates to: Critical Intervention Report
2. Access, evaluate, and utilise relevant social work information that informs and assists in intra- and inter-professional communication in a range of contexts, through effective oral, written and digital interactions. [Practice, Knowledge]
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach
3. Design a plan of action for working within socially progressive, anti-oppressive, culturally safe and ethical practice, that embody an autonomous and collaborative evidence-based orientation to social work, integral to the standards of professional social work practice. [Values and Disposition, Practice]
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach, Critical Intervention Report
4. Critically examine tenets of diversity and diverse perspectives in social work, and advocate for a socially just society and the promotion of human dignity that reflect different social, political, cultural and historical circumstances, on the beliefs, values and aspirations of various groups, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. [Values and Disposition, Knowledge, Practice]
   Relates to: Critical Intervention Report

SW05 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

1. Critically evaluate theoretical, practical and contextually relevant social work knowledge, skills and values and, as a change facilitator, meet diverse client and community needs that promote social justice
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach
2. Formulate and implement strategies using advanced knowledge and research skills to analyse, consolidate and synthesise social and practice evidence to generate solutions and to inform professional practice and decision-making
   Relates to: Critical Intervention Report
3. Develop advanced knowledge, skills and values, to inform culturally safe communication and effective intra- and inter-professional collaboration and with a wide range of audiences and contexts, including accessing, evaluating and utlising digital health information.
   Relates to: Critical Intervention Report
4. Construct and implement strategies for practising collaboratively and independently, focused on socially progressive, anti-oppressive, culturally safe and ethical practice, integral to the standards of professional social work practice
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach
5. Access, evaluate and utilise social work information to advocate for a socially just society and the promotion of human dignity and worth that reflect different social, political, cultural and historical circumstances, on the beliefs, values and aspirations of various groups, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations
   Relates to: Understanding Crises, Trauma and Addictions from a Critical Approach, Critical Intervention Report