RDS-30306 Sociological Theories of Rural Transformation

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch or English

Expected knowledge on:

Some sociological background

Continuation courses:

BSc-C (The Sociology of Farming and Rural Life, Globalisation and Sustainability of Food Production and Consumption, Governance, Livelihoods and Resources

Contents:

Sociological Theories of Rural Transformation explains what is meant by rural transformation and how it relates to processes of development as interpreted with the help of sociological theories. The course will start with a discussion of the everyday practice of rural transformation, for example in Eastern Europe and in Southeast Asia. What kind of social, cultural, economic and political changes are rural people involved in? How do they act and react to different socio-economic relationships, labour migration, the growing impact of consumption orientedness? These cases will then be analysed and compared through the application of concepts that are used in the social theories of the last few decades, like modernization theory, dependencia, political economy, and post-modernist anthropology. It will be shown how sociological/anthropological theories and approaches actually shape the perception of actual transformation processes, not only by academics but also by policy makers, NGOs and others.
This course teaches the students how to interpret and analyse rural transformation processes, and to critically compare them by focussing on the relevant concepts and debates, like globalisation - (re)localisation, social capital, community development, and regional comparison.

Aims:

This course aims to enhance the student's knowledge and understanding of rural transformation through the application of theories of social change. Whereas earlier courses may have dealt with examples of rural transformation, this course intends to show the relevance of the particular theoretical and methodological approaches in a comparative way. Also, their implication for development oriented intervention is being discussed. Social theories of rural transformation thus serves as a basis for the BSc-courses in the consecutive periods, and it is a necessary stepping stone towards a Social Science MSc.

Activities:

In addition to a series of six weekly lectures of two hours students will be obliged to participate at six weekly working group sessions of two hours. During each of these sessions a particular case will be discussed and analysed on the basis of the literature read in preparation for each working group session. Also, their relevance for policy formulation and implementation are discussed. Each student writes a short assessment (2 A4) per session, and one student is invited to present it in the group. These assessments are valued by the professor and together they contribute to the final mark.

Examination:

A written exam is required.

Literature:

A syllabus will be available before the start of this course at RDS-secretariate.