RSO-20806 Agricultural and Rural Development: Sociological Perspectives

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

This course provides an introduction to the dynamics of development processes, with a strong focus on agriculture, food and rural areas. This course also pays ample attention to the relations between agrarian and rural development on the one hand and urban development on the other. The course follows a comparative approach. By means of cases studies from developed' countries (i.e. Europe and North America) as well as from 'developing' countries (Africa, Asia and Latin America) the sociological and anthropological aspects of agricultural and rural development processes are analyzed. As such students get acquainted with the most important theories and analytical concepts with which these processes can be understood.

Learning outcomes:

- have knowledge of rural development processes as a non-linear, multi-actor, multi-level and multi-dimensional process;
- have insight in the different concepts or dimensions of rural development: knowledge, technology, resources and the rural development paradigm;
- have insight in the different of the driving forces (like politics, markets, institutions, technology, expert systems etc) behind the process of re-inventing and designing a new practice;;
- have empirical insight and theoretical overview of the use of natural resources in the context of agricultural and rural development;;
- have awareness of the international context of developing processes;.

Activities:

- preparing and attending lectures;
- reading literature;
- participation in working groups and sessions;
- fieldtrips with assignments;
- movies/documentaries with assignments.

Examination:

Written exam plus assignments.

Literature:

Study guide and scientific articles through Eduweb.