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 D2L 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