RSO-31806 Understanding Rural Development: Theories, Practices and Methodologies

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
One day excursion12
Lectures24
Problem-based learning
Tutorial12
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)prof. dr. ir. JSC Wiskerke
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. ir. JSC Wiskerke
dr. LG Horlings
Examiner(s)prof. dr. ir. JSC Wiskerke

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Sociology in development: towards a critical perspective (RDS-32806).

Contents:

The course aims to provide a theoretical, empirical and methodological understanding of rural and regional development processes in Europe, with emphasis on agro-food, rural and regional dynamics in metropolitan landscapes. It builds upon several BSc and MSc courses, such as Agrarian and Rural Development: Sociological Perspectives (RSO-20806), Sociology of Farming and Rural Life (RSO-30806), Sociological Theories of Rural Transformation (RDS-30306), Globalisation and Sustainability of Food Production and Consumption (ENP-31806) and Sociology in Development: Towards a Critical Perspective (RDS-32806). This course will, on the one hand, integrate themes and topics as well as theoretical concepts and perspectives of these courses, and on the other hand elaborate on topics (empirically and theoretically) such as multifunctional rural entrepreneurship in metropolitan regions, urban-rural relations, urban food production and urban food provision, regional differentiation processes and the relation between mobility and the sustainability and vulnerability of regions. By presenting and discussing recently completed and ongoing research projects a wide range of research methodologies will be introduced.
As such this course acquaints students with the most important scientific theoretical perspectives and paradigms of agro-food dynamics and rural and regional transformation processes and their social, political and academic context. In doing so the course presents a comprehensive framework for a thorough analysis of the heterogeneous and multidimensional character of agro-food, rural and regional transformation processes in Europe and beyond. Within that framework the ongoing debates on rural and regional development fall into place, such as:
- the transition from agricultural modernisation to regional rural development;
- the dynamics and diversity of agricultural and rural development and transformation processes (particularly in metropolitan landscapes);
- regional differentiation processes;
- feeding the city sustainably and healthily;
- the territorial embedding of food supply chains;
- mobility, vulnerability and sustainability.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course unit students are expected to:
- understand past and current debates on rural and regional development processes in Europe;
- have insight into the methods and results of ongoing national and European research projects;
- be familiar with a wide range of theoretical concepts and approaches, in order to understand the complexity of rural and regional development;
- understand a variety of methodological issues enabling them to study and analyze the multiple facets of rural and regional development;
- have sufficient theoretical and methodological knowledge to conduct research for their M.Sc. thesis in Rural Sociology.

Activities:

- lectures and guest presentations;
- debates in class;
- self-study;
- field trips;
- assignments.

Examination:

- group (or individual) assignment (25%);
- written exam (75%).
In order to pass the course the threshold mark for the written exam is 5.5.

Literature:

Scientific articles via EDuweb.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MIDInternational Development StudiesMScA: Sociology of Development5MO