Course Description

Occupational Science and Health

Occupational science illuminates the complexities and richness of human occupation and its relationship to the health and quality of life of individuals, groups, and populations. Variables influencing occupation, such as context and personal values and experiences, will be analyzed. This course will discuss the philosophical tenets of occupational science and how research has informed occupational therapy practice.

Occupation is defined broadly as groups of activities and tasks performed in daily life (e.g., work activities, self-care activities, leisure activities). The field encompasses theoretical perspectives on occupation from within and outside the related profession of occupational therapy.

Topics:

– Personal, micro-environmental and macro-environmental influences on occupation

– The contributions of occupation at the individual, group, and population levels

– Approaches to effective occupational therapy and occupational enablement

– Clients’ experience of illness, occupation, and therapy

– Dark side of occupation

– Occupational justice