RDS-30306 Sociological Theories of Rural Transformation

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ENP-22803, DEC-22803

Continuation courses:

BSc-C (The Sociology of Farming and Rural Life, Globalisation and Sustainability of Food Production and Consumption, Governance, Livelihoods and Resource; MID programme

Contents:

Social Theories of Rural Transformation provides an insight in the most relevant sociological and anthropological theories of the last decades that are instrumental in analysing and understanding social transformation processes. The course builds onto theoretical courses of the first and second Bachelor year. Social theories and concepts are critically discussed on the basis of case studies from western Europe and the developing world. What kind of social, cultural, economic and political changes are rural people involved in, what institutions are relevant, and how do they interact at multiple levels of society? This course teaches students how to interpret and analyse transformations, development, institutions, social and symbolic capital, identity, participation and migration.
The course consists of 2x2 course hours per week, and obligatory workshop sessions of 2 hours Thursdays. Major theories and debates are discussed with the help of a case study presented in the syllabus. The student writes a weekly assignment; these will be commented upon by the teacher. Together the assignments contribute to 20% of the final mark. The student's knowledge is examined by a written examination of the literature and lecture materials; the examination contributes the remaining 80% of the final mark.

Learning outcomes:

This course enables the student to:
- understand the basics of the history of social theory and the position of the most important social sociologists/anthropologists;
- have gained some insight into relevant social theories and concepts of social transformation, and their role in the major debates on rural transformation in rural studies and development studies;
- be able to critically reflect on these theories and concepts, and to relate them to earlier learning - experiences;
- know how to relate a theoretical approach to a case study by accomplishing the (written) assignments;
- understand the relevance of particular sociological/anthropological theories for his/her future academic or practical orientation.

Activities:

In addition to a series of six weekly lectures of two hours students participate in 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 (1 A4) per session.

Examination:

Written exam.

Literature:

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