Reference no: EM133643597

Assignment

This assignment to be completed with the understanding that grief is an active and creative process. The process of this assignment is for the student to demonstrate their ability to integrate theory and course content into their personal and professional understanding of grieving. This project will also include a written analysis that discusses the link between grieving and social work practice and the larger social context. Loss and death are persistent themes in the world of social work. In addition, there is never any trauma without grief and loss. Poverty, oppression, discrimination, and social injustice all carry within them the experience of grief, loss, and trauma. An additional purpose of this project is for you to connect how the issues of loss, death, and bereavement pervade societal structures, public/governmental policy decisions, and international concerns. In addition, how has completing this project influenced your personal understanding of grieving?

I have included a list of suggested course projects. Do not become limited by this list. Students may come up with a unique project of equal or greater value. If you have a project idea not noted on the list, please have your project topic/idea approved by me prior to working on it. If you choose to do a creative project (e.g., write and record a song), you will need to provide a written analysis that discusses the project's relevance to the course content and theory, and what you learned about loss and grief and yourself while creating your project. Whatever format you choose for your Loss and Grief Project, students will submit a five-to-ten-page critical analysis.

This course project has a much broader scope than a request for an essay or a book review. It can be just about any creative endeavor. It must concern the issues of human loss from death or symbolic loss, grieving, or dying. Students must include a critical analysis and interpretation or explanation if it is a work of art. The following are some ideas you might consider for a project. You do not have to choose from this list, these are merely suggestions to give you a sense of the scope that your project can take. If you have another idea that you would like to do for this assignment, provide me with a written proposal and discuss your project idea with me before proceeding. Remember, all projects must include a written critical analysis that links the project to the theory and concepts discussed in the course.

Task

Question I. Compose and record a song. Deconstruct the lyrics and melody in a written analysis.

Question II. Compose and record a poem (at least four stanzas with four verses). Deconstruct the poem in a written analysis.

Question III. Analyze the poetry or prose of four or five authors who write about tangible and intangible loss, dying, death, and grief. Provide the poems and use APA referencing in your analysis.

Question IV. Write a critical review of a book (non-fiction) that explores loss, grief, or death. As this is a critical review, use APA guidelines and engage in persuasive critical thinking. Also, include your own reaction to the content of the book.

Question V. Analyze the lyrics and music of four contemporary songs pertaining to death, loss, or grief. Provide the artist, song title, and lyrics and use APA referencing in your analysis. What does the song provide to the listener, to our understanding of death, loss, and grief?

Question VI. Promote a discussion concerning dying, tangible and intangible loss, and/or grief amongst a group of friends or peers. Provide a reflection on the perspectives discussed in the group and a critical analysis of the influences on your discussion. Inform your friends or peers that you will be using your discussion with them for a class assignment.

Question VII. Create a piece of art, a collage, a photographic essay, a dance, a sculpture that pertains to the themes of loss, grief or death/dying. Deconstruct the art project in a written analysis.

Question VIII. Watch a movie and write an analysis about the issues, needs, theoretical approaches to bereavement that you have learned in the readings, lectures, or class discussions. If you have viewed this film for a second time, note what new insights and awareness you have since being in this course. What did the film say about loss, death, dying, and grief? What was missing from the reality of loss and grief?

Question IX. Pick a current news issue connected to loss, death, dying, and grief and follow the coverage over a period of at least three months. Provide a critical analysis of the situation, the issues for the individual, the families, the community, and society. Why have you chosen this particular news issue? What has the societal response been? What insights and awareness do you have about this issue since being in this course?