Fall 2026 SOWK 590 Week 01 - Getting Settled with Advanced Seminar I

Slide 1
A circular abstract symbol is shown on the left. Text on the right reads: 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW at Heritage University. Getting Settled with Advanced Seminar I. Week 01 of SOWK 590 1 & 595 1.' The background is light green.

Fall 2026 SOWK 590 Week 01 - Getting Settled with Advanced Seminar I

title: Fall 2026 SOWK 590 Week 01 - Getting Settled with Advanced Seminar I date: 2026-08-28 22:29:12 location: Heritage University tags:

  • Heritage University
  • MSW Program
  • SOWK 590 presentation_video: > “” description: >

Welcome to SOWK 590 (and 595). Practicum is the signature pedagogy of social work, and I think often the most impactful part of a student’s academic career in social work. I’m happy to go through it with you. In the first class, we will have an opportunity for questions and practical steps in your practicum, pick groups and topics for the student-led discussions, engage in a mindfulness activity, and discuss group norms for our practicum reflection group. This week is a synchronous week, with class on Saturday (08/29/26). We meet in Petrie Hall RM 1116 from 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM. I also made a video talking through the syllabus and course content for both classes.

We will have the following agenda:

  • Getting settled for SOWK 590 and 595
  • Mindfulness activity, box breathing
  • Picking topics for student-led discussions
  • Getting Caught Up in the ELC
  • Practice Learning Reflection Group

The learning objectives this week include:

  • To identify the structure of this course, the assignments used to facilitate learning and demonstrate competency, and what to expect this semester.
  • Students will recognize the shared experiences of their peers in the practicum and be able to utilize the group as a method for sharing and problem-solving.
  • Students will analyze their practicum experience, reflecting on how it connects to their development and demonstration of competence.
  • Students will actively practice a mindfulness activity.
Slide 2
The image shows a presentation slide divided into two sections: 'Agenda' listing activities, and 'Learning Objectives' outlining goals for recognizing experiences, analyzing practicum, and practicing mindfulness. It includes:AgendaWeek 01- Getting settled for SOWK 590 and 595- Mindfulness activity, box breathing- Picking topics for student-led discussions- Getting Caught Up in the ELC- Practice Learning Reflection GroupLearning Objectives- Students will recognize the shared experiences of peers in their practicum and be able to use the group as a method for sharing and problem-solving.- Students will analyze their practicum experience, reflecting on how it connects to their development and demonstration of competence.- Students will actively practice a mindfulness activity.

Week 1 Plan

Agenda

  • Getting settled for SOWK 590 and 595
  • Mindfulness activity, box breathing
  • Picking topics for student-led discussions
  • Getting Caught Up in the ELC
  • Practice Learning Reflection Group

Learning Objectives

  • To identify the structure of this course, the assignments used to facilitate learning and demonstrate competency, and what to expect this semester.
  • Students will recognize the shared experiences of their peers in the practicum and be able to utilize the group as a method for sharing and problem-solving.
  • Students will analyze their practicum experience, reflecting on how it connects to their development and demonstration of competence.
  • Students will actively practice a mindfulness activity.
Slide 3
Slide displaying educational requirements: '3 Products' include attendance, in-class participation, and weekly reflective journal for the seminar. '2 Tasks' include monthly hour logs for practicum with 250 hours total. Overall, grading is pass/no pass.

Courses Overview

Both classes are pass/no pass. There are three products that you will be graded on.

Seminar has 3 Products

  • Attendance (Can only miss one session)
  • In-Class Participation
  • Weekly Reflective Journal

Practicum Has two Tasks

  • 250 Hours
  • Learning contract and midpoint evaluation (must score a 3 or higher on at least one competency)
Slide 4
Slide displays text: 'In-Person Format.' Icons represent activities: 'Practice Learning Reflection Group,' 'Mindfulness Activity,' and 'Student Led Discussion,' set against a pale green background.

In Person Class Format

Each week, the following will be the format of the class that we meet in-person.

  • Practice Learning Reflection Group
  • Mindfulness Activity
  • Student Led Discussion
Slide 5
Gray text box titled 'Reviewing Learning Contracts' with bullet points: 'Where are you at in development,' 'Scheduling a time to review,' 'Support you need,' on a white background.

Reviewing Learning Contracts

We need to make a general plan for learning contracts.

  • Where are you at in development
  • Scheduling a time to review
  • Support you need
Slide 6
Two academic syllabi from Heritage University are displayed side by side. The text 'Questions on Syllabi' is centered between them, suggesting a focus on academic content or course details.

Questions on Syllabi

I posted a video for this class. You should have watched it. Questions?

Slide 7
Square graphic labeled 'Box Breathing' depicts a four-step breathing cycle. Arrows with instructions: 'Inhale for 5 seconds,' 'Hold for 5 seconds,' 'Exhale for 5 seconds,' repeat, on each side.

Box Breathing

I want to start our little meeting today with a self-care practice. This might be something that you are familiar with or not. but it is a simple but powerful way to breath. It is a form of deep breathing employed by the Navy SEALS and used in yogic practice as well. Sometimes it is called 4x4 breathing or equal breathing

It has a ton of benefits, including:

  • Lowers stress
  • Activates the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
  • Calms the mind

I created a this to help show us how to do it, but it is simple and just counting to four or five on inhale/hold/exhale/hold. The slides are going to have the arrow move and each of the little circles will appear around the square 1 per second.

Slide 8
A black square labeled 'Box Breathing' is surrounded by arrows indicating a cycle: 'Inhale for 5 seconds,' 'Hold for 5 seconds,' 'Exhale for 5 seconds,' 'Hold for 5 seconds.' Context: instructional slide with colorful text.

Box Breathing - Round 1

So we are going to start with our inhale…

Next to start –>

Slide 9
A diagram illustrates a 'Box Breathing' technique with arrows and labels: 'Inhale for 5 seconds,' 'Hold for 5 seconds,' 'Exhale for 5 seconds,' 'Hold for 5 seconds,' set in a square around the central text.

Box Breathing - Round 2

Slide automatically goes

Slide 10
Square labeled 'Box Breathing' surrounded by arrows and blue dots, indicating inhale, exhale, and hold for 5 seconds; number '3' in the orange corner.

Box Breathing - Round 3

Slide automatically goes

Slide 11
The image is a presentation slide listing 'Student Led Discussion Topics' with six entries: 'Safety & Well-Being, Self-Care,' 'Self-Care and Burnout Prevention,' 'Restorative Justice Practices,' 'Intersectionality and Identity,' 'Community Organizing and Activism,' 'Cultural Competence in Practice,' labeled W-03 to W-13.

Student Led Discussion Topics

Our next class (W-03, 09/12) we are going to talk about “Safety & Well-Being, Self-Care” but I want to spend some time planning who is going to do what.

  • Talk about how this will look

[Whole Class Activity] Set out each week around the room. students spread out to the section they are interested in.

List of weeks

W-03 Safety & Well-Being, Self-Care W-05 Self-Care and Burnout Prevention W-07 Restorative Justice Practices W-08 Intersectionality and Identity W-11 Community Organizing and Activism W-13 Cultural Competence in Practice

Slide 12
A checklist interface displays tasks with green checkboxes, indicating completion. Tasks include 'Pre-application tasks,' 'Agency preference list,' 'Agency details,' and 'Supervisor details.' Instructions for placement are provided in a side panel.

ELC and Questions

You should look like this.

Slide 13
The image shows a presentation slide. On the left, it says 'Developing Group Norms' and lists rules like 'We will be respectful of each other.' On the right, wooden signs say 'BE THANKFUL,' 'Know you are loved,' and others with positive messages, mounted on a stone wall background.

Developing Group Norms

What are our rules for the practice learning reflection group

Previous Cohort Norms:

  • We will be respectful of each other
  • We will approach our dialogue with an open mind
  • We will engage and fully participate
  • We will keep our client’s information confidential
Slide 14
Text on a slide presents discussion questions for a 'Practice Learning Reflection Group.' It includes a check-in question about success needs, and prompts about practicum events, client needs, and client work examples.

Practice Learning Reflection Group

Group Check-in Question: What was one moment that felt significant this week?

Practicum Discussion:

  • What are some of the things that are happening in your practicums
  • What are some of the needs of the clients you are working with
  • Examples of client work to share with the group