Human Development and Social Work (SWSP1044)

Course overview

This course covers theories and models relating to human development across the lifespan. It focuses on application of this knowledge to direct practice and examines the effects of diversity and adversity on children and adults throughout the lifespan.

SWSP1044 applies knowledge about human development to social work practice. The course aims to develop students’ understanding of the multidimensional nature of human development.

This course introduces issues concerning the nature of development across the lifespan, including

(a) understanding development in terms of change and stability,

(b) understanding the factors that influence development, and

(c) understanding major concepts and theories used in describing and explaining human development.

Social Work and Human Services are professions which are informed by a variety of theoretical frameworks that regard personalities, behaviours, choices and actions within the contexts in which they occur. Sound knowledge of human growth and development is a valuable tool for understanding people. It enables an appreciation, at once, of people’s potentials and capabilities, the challenges they may encounter, and the factors affecting their well-being over time. Much of social work and human services practice is about facilitating healthy growth and adjustment, overcoming constraints and increasing their options, and helping individuals respond to typical transitions, developmental tasks, and crises occurring throughout the lifespan. A sound knowledge of human growth and development can be a valuable tool in understanding people, their problems, and the contextual factors that may aid or hinder development and adaptation.

This course will provide the necessary foundational knowledge for students to understand the bio-psycho-social functioning and well-being of people. Students will begin to examine how they can usefully and appropriately apply knowledge about human development when communicating with others, making assessments and planning interventions in a variety of contexts. Throughout the course, knowledge will be linked directly to actual or potential practice issues.

Please be aware that this course examines challenges and risk factors that influence human development. As social workers, we work in areas that many people would find difficult, for example, in child protection; and with people trying to cope with trauma, loss, and bereavement. As such, this course will, at times, cover confronting content that may be challenging for some students or have the potential to cause distress. If you feel that you are upset by any of the content please feel free to contact me. Student services also provide counselling services. You are welcome to contact the Student Support and Wellbeing Services at 1300 275 870 or via email at student.services@uq.edu.au

ASWEAS Required Curriculum Content Areas covered in this course:

The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers. The Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (2020) stipulates that accredited social work programs are required to include content that addresses the five core curriculum areas listed below. This course contains content in the following curriculum areas: 

1. Constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice. 
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation. 
3. The history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination. 
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle. 

The BSocWk(Hons) will undergo re-accreditation in 2026 under the new ASWEAS (2024), which outlines updated required curriculum. This course content maps to the following: 

1. Social worker values and professional identity. 
2. Approaches to social work. 
3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is assumed that students will have completed (or are completing) an introductory psychology course such as PSYC1020 An Introduction to Psychology Developmental, Social, and Clinical Psychology, NEUR1020 The Brain and Behavioural Sciences,ﾠor PSYC1030 Introduction to Psychology: Developmental, Social, & Clinical Psychology.

Course contact

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course is presented in a lecture - tutorial format. Attendance at the two-hour lecture each week is important. Lectures will introduce material that will form the basis of tutorial learning experiences.

Tutorials will be on Wednesdays (You will enrol in one of the tutorials offered on this day). Tutorials are a significant part of this course, and attendance is therefore expected.ﾠ

Aims and outcomes

1. Develop students' knowledge of the study and processes of human development across the lifespan.ﾠ
2. To encourage critical and flexibleﾠthinking within these parameters.
3. To develop students' ability to applyﾠknowledge about human development toﾠsocial work practice in an array ofﾠcontexts.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Quiz (in-class)

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

19/08/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

When submitting your deferred examination request via mySI-net make sure to submit a type: in-semester deferred examination request, not an end of semester deferred examination request.

Group Presentation (in-class) - Case Analysis

• Identity Verified
• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

30%

Due date

PowerPoint slides are due in Week 9 on Friday.

26/09/2025 1:00 pm

Presentations will occur in Week 10, conducted in person. Some presentations may be scheduled outside of regular tutorial times.

8/10/2025 -10/10/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software.

Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assessment in Blackboard or using Turnitin.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

To enable all student groups to present within the allocated time period of Week 10, extension applications are only permissible for up to seven days in the event that one or more group members qualify for an extension in line with the Extension Guidelines.

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. 

Extension guidelines 

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline. 
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request as per the guidelines in my.UQ.  
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length for each assessment.  
• A maximum of three assessment requests can be submitted for each assessment, and the  third request must include an Assessment Management Plan. 
• Students who have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester are advised to carefully consider whether they are capable of successfully completing their courses and may need to consider applying for removal of course.  
• Students who have a disability or a chronic medical condition (including a mental health condition) are encouraged to meet with a Disability Advisor within Student Services to request a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests. Students who have an SAP can apply for a 7-day extension.  

 Outcome of application 

• Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

End of Semester Exam (in-person)

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

50%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Participation in Assessment Tasks:

• To be eligible to pass this course, students must participate in/complete all assessment tasks.

Assistance:

• Assessment tasks will be discussed during class contact time. Please contact course academic staff should you have further questions that could not be addressed in the class time.

Academic Integrity:

• Different rules concerning the use of generative AI apply to different assessment items. Please carefully check the specific requirements of each and every task.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Student Email

Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for information regarding the appropriate use of email.  

Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff. 

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Teaching and Learning Methods:

This course is delivered through weekly two-hour interactive lectures. While we need to cover substantial amounts of content, we will make space for small-group activities and discussions where possible. This will provide an opportunity for you to clarify further, explore, and engage critically with the concepts taught and relate these concepts to your own experiences and everyday life. From Week 2 to 13, one-hour tutorials will be held. The tutorials are aimed at skills development and to support your preparation for the assessment tasks of this course. Attendance at some tutorials is required for the completion of assessment tasks. Please refer to the course timetable for details.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.