Course Coordinator:Kerri-Anne Von Deest (kvondeest@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Occupational Therapy
UniSC Sunshine Coast |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This introductory course explores the history, founding values, and philosophies of the profession. The role of contemporary practice will be explored in the context of the Australian healthcare system. The occupational therapy practice process and foundational theory will be explored to scaffold the link between engagement in meaningful occupations and health and well-being. Simulated practice education, focusing on culturally responsive practice, is an assessed component of this course. It contributes towards the total 1000 hours required by WFOT.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Workshop 1 is an online large group workshop designed to augment learning materials. Workshop 1 is recorded. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Workshop 2 comprises academic learning activities during weeks 1-9 and practice education experiences during weeks 10-13. Practice education workshops are mandatory and contribute towards your total 1000 hours of practice education required by the WFOT. Workshop 2 is not recorded. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Seminar – Seminars in this course are designed to provide additional face to face learning opportunities for students. | 1hr | Week 2 | 3 times |
100 Level (Introductory)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd | |
1 | Explain the history and evolution of occupational therapy. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
1.12, 1.13, 2.1, 4.1 |
2 | Describe occupational therapy's professional values and philosophies. |
Knowledgeable Ethical |
1.1, 1.17, 4.1 |
3 | Describe key occupational therapy concepts, theories and practice frameworks. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 |
4 | Describes culturally responsive practice and demonstrates own self awareness through reflection. |
Empowered Ethical Engaged |
1.6, 3.6 |
5 | Demonstrate ethical, respectful, culturally responsive, and professional behaviour. |
Ethical Engaged |
1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd | |
1.1 | Complies with the OTBA standards, guidelines and code of conduct |
1.5 | Practices in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups. |
1.6 | Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. |
1.7 | Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice. |
1.9 | Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice. |
1.12 | Identifies and uses relevant professional and operational support and supervision. |
1.13 | Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively. |
1.17 | Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients. |
2.1 | Applies current and evidence informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice. |
2.2 | Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making. |
2.4 | Understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices. |
3.1 | Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement. |
3.2 | Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment while identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals. |
3.6 | Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections. |
4.1 | Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively. |
4.2 | Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context. |
4.3 | Works ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to understand and incorporate relevant cultural protocols and communication strategies, with the aim to support self-governance in communities. |
4.4 | Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Enrolled in SC440
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Early feedback on your progress will be provided via the formative assessment in Week 4.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 0% | 20 minutes |
Week 4 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 2 | Written Piece | Individual | 30% | 750 words |
Week 6 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 3 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 30% | 1 hour, 40 Questions. See Canvas for details. |
Week 9 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 4 | Activity Participation | Individual | 10% | Completion of self directed learning as per the requirements of the pre and post workshop requirements. Three hours per week for four weeks. |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 5 | Written Piece | Individual | 30% | 650 words |
Exam Period | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Self-Assessment Quiz | |
Goal: | You will demonstrate your knowledge of the foundational concepts taught in the first four weeks of the course. |
Product: | Quiz/zes |
Format: | Knowledge-based multiple-choice online quiz, completed via Canvas. |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 2:The Evolution of Occupational Therapy | |
Goal: | You will demonstrate an understanding of the history and evolution of the profession and describe the scope and values of contemporary practice in Australia. |
Product: | Written Piece |
Format: | Essay |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 3:Exam | |
Goal: | You will demonstrate your knowledge of the foundational concepts taught in the course. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | Knowledge-based and case-study-based multiple-choice examination, completed via Canvas. |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 4:Practice Education | |
Goal: | Develop knowledge and skills for culturally responsive practice. |
Product: | Activity Participation |
Format: | Evidence of completion of the pre and post workshop activities and participation in practice education workshops. |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 5:Culturally Responsive Practice | |
Goal: | Demonstrate your understanding of the connection between occupational therapy theory and practice. |
Product: | Written Piece |
Format: | Reflective essay. |
Criteria: |
|
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
Required | Ted Brown,Helen Bourke-Taylor,Stephen Isbel,Louise Gustafsson,Reinie Cordier | 2021 | Occupational Therapy in Australia | 2nd | Routledge |
Required | American Occupational Therapy Association | 2020 | Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process | 4th | AOTA |
Students should access Canvas for information about course requirements (including practice education). Queries regarding assessment will be addressed on Canvas discussion boards and not by email. Other issues can be discussed with your Course Coordinators via appointment during designed contact hours as specified on Canvas. Students will be expected to wear their UniSC Occupational Therapy uniform for in-class presentations and practice education activities throughout their degree.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.