The Evolving Discipline Overview and History Think about what your day would be like if you did absolutely nothing and you will recognize that your life is shaped by your participation in your chosen occupations. Occupational science is an academic discipline, the purpose of which is to generate knowledge about the form, function, and the meaning of human occupation.
Occupational science is one of the most critical, vibrant fields of inquiry for our world today.
Just as occupational therapy emerged at the turn of the 20 th century, occupational science has arisen at the turn of the 21 st . Rooted in the same humanitarian and philosophical ground that gave rise to the profession of occupational therapy, occupational science addresses the form, function and meaning of occupation. As the nature of our activities changes, researchers and therapists must discern how to tap human motivations and personal meaning in order to help people build satisfying lives within these changes. Occupational science is uniquely poised to address these critical questions. One of only a handful of occupational science Ph.D. programs in the country, USC's program was the first in this new field.