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