Occupational Science and Participation in Everyday Activities

The focus in this course is on theoretical discussions, concepts and methodology in Occupational Science. Key concepts in Occupational Science, including human activity, human occupation and participation are discussed in a contextual manner. These tools are actively used to analyze and reflect upon the contextual nature of participation, and develop approaches sensible to the persons life world, everyday reality, role repertoire, and habitus. In this course, we also explore and describe how participation in occupation may have an impact on how we approach well-being, lifespan development, social relations, as well as health promotion across the life span and public policies.

Knowledge

The candidate

- has comprehensive knowledge about Occupational Science of Human Occupation, in terms of ontology, epistemology, key theoretical discussions, concepts and methodology

- has knowledge about, and understanding of differences between various perspectives on participation in everyday life occupations

- has knowledge about how human occupation can be analyzed and contextualized in everyday activities

- has in-depth knowledge about how participation in every-day life affects health and vice versa - has in depth knowledge of both facilitators and barriers for participation in every-day life for individuals and groups

Skills

The candidate

- can describe and reflect on epistemology, ontology and ethics of Occupational Science

- can describe and reflect upon multiple methodological approaches to occupation and participation in everyday activities -

- can describe and critically reflect upon the complex interplay between personal and contextual matters influencing performance and participation in every-day occupations

- can articulate opportunities and challenges in multidisciplinary assessments of participation in occupations.

- can explore and describe mutual influences between participation in occupation, health, well-being, lifespan development, social relations and public policies

- can articulate how to promote health and wellness through occupation across the life span

General competence

The candidate

- can integrate theory and methodology based on Occupational Science of Human Occupation in research and development projects

- can apply Occupational Science in analyses of how human occupation can be analyzed and contextualized in everyday activities

- can critically reflect upon barriers and facilitators in order to assess participation in everyday life occupation

- can demonstrate critical awareness of ethical problems in research and interventions based on the people`s integrity and right to define their own way of living

Lectures, group work, seminars