PACS 331Trauma, Healing, and Social Transformation
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Peace and Conflict Studies
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course examines how attention to trauma and healing can inform processes to transform conflict, violence, and injustice. With case examples from domestic abuse to colonialism and police violence, students explore theories and approaches to trauma and healing to better understand pathways to personal and social transformation and how they can be applied in various contexts. Topics include causes, types, and impacts of trauma; the role of trauma in cycles of violence; and frameworks for healing informed by contemporary social justice movements.
Prerequisites
- Complete 1 of the following
- Students must be in level 2A or higher
- Enrolled in Peace & Conflict Studies Diploma
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEM 001 | 4487 | 25 / 30 | T 14:30–17:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
88% liked it96% easy67% useful
From 8 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Hella bird w Kimberly Penner. Didn't do any readings. Barely went to class. Finished w/ high 90
Jan 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Taught by Prof. McCants-Turner. Truly exceptional course and teacher. Each class opened and closed with a circle, never a class where you're only listening to the prof talk. Important to do the readings to engage in discussion in the course. Was deeply meaningful to participate in and received over a 90%.
Nov 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The class gives you a greater appreciation for the emotional nature of trauma. This is a very academically light class, but a very emotionally heavy one.
Apr 2014 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention PACS 331, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2022
Winter 2022
Boring and Stupid 0 points, 0 comments
u/Oneinamelon_21: “PACS 331 is boring and stupid. Killer readings and long classes”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… OPTOM 683 PACS 101 PACS 201 PACS 202 PACS 301 PACS 316 PACS 323 PACS 326 PACS 329 PACS 330 PACS 331 PACS 390 PACS 391 PACS 398 PACS 399 PACS 401 PACS 601 PACS 603 PACS 604 PACS 620 PACS 621 PACS 623 PACS 625 PACS 626 PACS 630 PACS 650 PACS 651 PACS 670 PD 1 PD 10 PD 11 PD 12 PD …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them