Overview
The unit explores multifaceted personal, interpersonal, cultural, and contextual factors influencing bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and well-being and human development across the lifespan. You will critically examine the dominant, normative discourses on health, including physical health and disability, mental health, drug and alcohol use/abuse, gender and sexual identity, child development, and the aging process. You will examine the implications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and diverse populations and alternative culturally responsive psychosocial assessments. You will assess the impact of socioeconomic status, life opportunities, trauma, and environmental challenges on health and well-being. Additionally, you will critique theories of grief and loss, trauma, and resilience, identifying the risks to well-being and sources of resilience. You will integrate this knowledge with professional values and ethics to develop your communication skills for conducting holistic social work assessments and interventions through case studies and role plays in health settings. Engaging in critical reflective practice, you will address biases and power relations and ensure ethical, culturally sensitive approaches. Throughout the unit, particular consideration will be given to the ongoing impact of colonisation, displacement and discrimination on the physical and mental health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and integrating culturally sensitive psychosocial assessments to decolonise practice and build partnerships with First Nations people.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Critically analyse and evaluate key theories and models of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development across the lifespan.
- Evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status, life opportunities, trauma, and environmental challenges on the development, health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities across the lifespan.
- Apply the AASW Code of Ethics (2020), knowledge of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development, and communication skills to foster holistic and collaborative assessments and culturally appropriate interventions that address complex and diverse needs across the lifespan.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 3 - Case Study - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Microsft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Microsoft Teams
- CQU Library hosted Literature Databases
- CQU Library search engines for research articles
- CQU Library Resources
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.melander@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Theories of Psychosocial Health and Human Development
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student
Support?
Find out how to find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Welcome and Unit Introduction.
Weekly lecture/tutorial. Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and maybe why you are studying this unit and
course. Assessments: Review the assessment tasks and make a
study plan. Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual
program. Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Theories of Psycho-Social Development
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Assessment 1 – Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Childhood Development and Wellbeing
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help. Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Gender and Sexual Identity
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Census Date – Tuesday Week 4 Assessment 1 – Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity. Announcement and Discussion Forums – Check for posts and updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Physical Health and Disability
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Assessment 1 – Check the
originality of your assessment
through Turnitin and make
relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your
originality report. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Assessment One- Psychosocial Theory Analysis Due: Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Use
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Enjoy your break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities.
Please use this week to progress your assessments.
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Aging – Health and Wellbeing
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications.
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Socio-economic Status, Place, Environment and Life Opportunities
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Assessment Two- Reflective Essay Due: Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Social Work in Health Services
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications.
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Completing a Psychosocial Assessment: Core Components
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications. Don’t forget – check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Completing a Psychosocial Assessment: Interviewing
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications. Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experience in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades
Assessment Three- Case Study Due: Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Completing a Psychosocial Assessment: Writing
Chapter
Readings and activities as
outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attend Lecture and Tutorial. Announcement and Discussion
Forums – Check for posts and
updates. Student email – Check your student email at least twice per week for important
communications. Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey. Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered face-to-face, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Written Assessment
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your capacity to critically examine theories of psychosocial and human development and apply them in practice.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
• You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
• In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Due for submission via Moodle.
Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026)
Via Moodle
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Critically analyse and evaluate key theories and models of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development across the lifespan.
- Evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status, life opportunities, trauma, and environmental challenges on the development, health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities across the lifespan.
2 Written Assessment
Many people are drawn to social work because of their personal or lived experiences. Some have received support during difficult times, while others have experienced a lack of support when they needed it most (McAuliffe et al., 2023). These experiences often shape the decision to pursue a career in social work.
In this assessment, you will reflect on your own life story and explore the developmental influences that have contributed to your decision to study social work. You will write an autobiographical, multidimensional case study, applying relevant developmental theories and concepts to either your current life stage or a significant earlier stage.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
• You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
• In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 8 Wednesday (9 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Due for submission via Moodle.
Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026)
Via Moodle
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Critically analyse and evaluate key theories and models of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development across the lifespan.
- Evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status, life opportunities, trauma, and environmental challenges on the development, health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities across the lifespan.
- Apply the AASW Code of Ethics (2020), knowledge of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development, and communication skills to foster holistic and collaborative assessments and culturally appropriate interventions that address complex and diverse needs across the lifespan.
3 Case Study
In this assessment, you will complete a psychosocial assessment and intervention plan based on one of the provided case studies. You will be expected to complete an in-class role play with a peer and then provide a written response which must be holistic, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded, demonstrating application of social work knowledge, values, and interprofessional practice skills. You will draw on the AASW Code of Ethics, social determinants of health, and trauma-informed approaches.
Academic Integrity
You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time. This assessment requires students to adhere to the guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools as specified in the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Scale (AIAS). Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity. No Generative AI use is permitted in the completion of this assignment. You must not use AI tools or technology to produce substantive content. You are permitted to use technology or tools that assist with spelling, grammar or formatting.
Level of GenAI Use Allowed: Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Extensions
Extensions to this assessment are not available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
• You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
• In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit online via the unit Moodle site
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (21 Oct 2026)
Returned via Moodle.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Evaluate the impact of socioeconomic status, life opportunities, trauma, and environmental challenges on the development, health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities across the lifespan.
- Apply the AASW Code of Ethics (2020), knowledge of bio-psycho-social-spiritual health and human development, and communication skills to foster holistic and collaborative assessments and culturally appropriate interventions that address complex and diverse needs across the lifespan.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
