Exploring Occupational Science in the Nordic region

Free-standing course

Eligibility for the course requires 180 ECTS credits or equivalent and English 6 or English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

• Occupational science as basic research and applied science 
• Central concepts within occupational science and their application and meaning in a Nordic context 
• Occupational health 
• Eco-ethical and glocal sustainable occupational life

Knowledge and understanding

• Analyze and problematize the meaning of activity and occupation in both English and the student´s native language, supported by an occupational science theoretical perspective and research
• Describe and discuss current research based on a chosen concept, phenomenon, or perspective within occupational science that illustrates the complexity of activity/occupation in relation to a Nordic context.
• Investigate and report on what a sustainable lifestyle may entail in relation to health and the environment from an occupational science perspective at the individual, group, and societal levels.

Skills and abilities 
• Search, compile, and refer to relevant scientific literature.
• Analyse theory and concepts within occupational science based on the chosen conceptual model.
• Identify, problematize and formulate a question to understand the relationship between activity/occupation and health among people living in the Nordic countries.
• Clarify the meaning of engagement in everyday occupation for people within a specific local context and discuss the results in relation to the fundamental assumptions of occupational science
• Analyse how everyday occupation can be modified/adapted to develop into a more sustainable lifestyle.

Evaluation and approach 
• Identify and reflect on phenomena from a micro, meso, and macro perspective in a specific Nordic context that either hinder or support individuals’ participation.
• Discuss and evaluate perspectives, concepts, and theories within occupational science related to sustainable occupation in relation to living and residing in the Nordic countries.
• Through dialogue with others, demonstratea reflective approach to one´s own and others' values concerning equality, diversity, and other norm-critical concepts that influence the application of occupational science.
• Identify and concretize one’s own need for additional knowledge and responsibility for your knowledge development in lifelong learning.

The teaching is characterized by independence, reflective and in-depth learning. The learning methods used are lectures, self-studies, seminars, and examinations. The teaching is web‑based, which requires access to a computer, a webcam, and an internet connection.

Language of instruction: English

Assessment of students’ achievement of the learning outcomes is conducted through two individual written assignments, one podcast, three seminars, two journal clubs, an oral examination, and the oral opposition of a fellow student’s work. To obtain a passing grade, completion of the study assignments, presentations, participation in seminars, and a passing oral examination are required.

Absence from mandatory components must be compensated according to instructions from the course coordinator.

Supplementation of an incomplete examination assignment is permitted. The supplementation is based on the same task as the original examination assignment. If the assignment remains incomplete after two (2) attempts at supplementation, it will be recorded as failed.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The course is graded either Pass (G) or Fail (U).

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course is offered within the framework of the OSNord project, a collaboration between educational programs in Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in coursework and examinations is regulated by the course coordinator and/or examiner in accordance with the University of Gothenburg’s Guidance on the Use of Generative AI in Studies, and may be permitted, restricted, or prohibited. AI‑generated content may not be presented as the student’s own work, and its use must be documented when required. The course coordinator will specify on the learning platform what applies for coursework and examinations.