Syllabus
Preliminary outline of the course:
1. Introduction to the course
2. Theoretical and conceptual anchoring I
3. Theoretical and conceptual anchoring II
4. Cultures of childbirth: Understanding cultural diversity of childbirth practices. Introduction to the anthropology of childbirth and midwifery.
5. Notions of childbirth in the Czech Republic: Exploring historical and contemporary notions of childbirth, midwifery and obstetrics in the Czech Republic.
6. Culturally sensitive childbirth: Indigenous midwifery and the importance of culturally sensitive care. Exploring case studies from Northeast India, South America and Canada.
7. Implementation of Ayurveda as a medical system in Czech environment: Evidence from research
8. Health and disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: cultural diversity of conception of health and disease.
9. Folk medicine in the Czech Republic
10. Disability as a cultural and social construct: An example from field research on people with albinism in Tanzania
11. Interview with a guest or visiting a relevant exhibition (will be finalized according to the students’ preferences).
12. Ethnographic documentary screening on relevant topic followed by critical discussion
13. Summary of the course, final discussion and evaluation of the course
Annotation
This course introduces students to the field of the anthropology of the body by exploring cultural notions of health, illness, healing, reproduction and disability. The body can be considered not only as a biomechanical object but also as a dynamic entity that reflects individual experiences and cultural and socially conditioned meanings, practices, images, and norms. This course explores theoretical concepts of medical anthropology, as well as case studies and evidence from various cultural contexts.
The course begins by addressing cultural understanding of childbirth, midwifery and obstetrics. Students will be introduced to concepts of ‘biosocial framework‘ and ‘authoritative knowledge’ in order to understand cultural variability of childbirth practices. Subsequently, students will explore cultural notions of health, illness and disability, and will be introduced to the concept of ‘social constructivism’ and the body as an instrument of power consolidation. Consideration will be given to the ethnomedical practices of healing. Students will explore case studies from India, Cameroon, Tanzania, the Czech Republic and more.
During the course, students are expected to actively participate in discussions. Students will be encouraged to share experiences from their home cultures or cultures of their interest.