Occupational Therapy 612
OCTH 612: Occupation in Human Life
Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program or permission of the Chair
Credit Hours: (3)
Introduction to the profession of occupational therapy, and to occupation as its paradigm. Using Person-Environment-Occupational Performance as a conceptual model, students investigate the organization and meaning of occupation in their own lives and the lives of others, discuss developmental, cultural and socioeconomic influences on occupational performance, and explore relationships between occupation and health.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topics will include:
A profile of the occupational therapy profession: History, definition and scope of practice, terminology, the varied roles of the occupational therapist, professional organizations, international contributions, the professional development process, values and ethical code, vision for the future
- Defining and classifying occupation
- The origins and evolution of human occupation
- Occupation and personal meaning
- Time use and patterns of occupation
- Cultural and socioeconomic factors and their influences on occupation
- Environmental influences on occupation
- The relationship of occupations to health and wellness
- The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance framework for practice
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lecture and readings will be supplemented by active learning strategies which may include: completing a time-use survey, keeping a reflective journal, interviewing people of various ages and cultural backgrounds about their occupations, participating in face-to-face and Blackboard discussion groups, exploring and reporting about internet sources of information on course topics.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs;
- Explain the history and philosophical base of the profession of occupational therapy, and their relevance today;
- Analyze the influences of history and the sociopolitical climate on practice;
- Discuss the various roles of the occupational therapist as practitioner, educator, researcher, consultant and/or entrepreneur;
- Acknowledge international contributions to occupational therapy education, research and practice;
- Demonstrate understanding of the American Occupational Therapy Associations' Core Values and Attitudes statement and Code of Ethics, and use them as guides in interactions with faculty and classmates;
- Use Occupational Therapy Practice Framework terminology and the PEOP model to explain the meaning and dynamics of occupation and activity;
- Discuss the influence of the social conditions and ethical contexts in which humans choose and engage in occupations;
- Demonstrate appreciation of the influences of cultural, economic, diversity factors and lifestyle choices, on occupation;
- Explain the role of occupation in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease and disability for the individual, family and society;
- Articulate the importance of balancing areas of occupation for the achievement of health and wellness.
Assessment Measures
Tests, participation in discussions, and graded individual and group assignments may be used to assess course outcomes.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
February, 2009