RSO-20806 Agricultural and Rural Development: Sociological Perspectives

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

RSO-10306 Sociology; CPT-11806 Technology, Development and Natural Resources.

Continuation courses:

DEC-20306 Rural Households and Livelihood Strategies; RSO-21306 Policy, People and Resources in Comparative Perspective; ENP-31806 Globalization and Sustainability of Food Production and Consumption; RSO-30806 The Sociology of Farming and Rural Life.

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 analysed. As such students get acquainted with the most important theories and analytical concepts with which these processes can be understood.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain agricultural and rural development as a non-linear, multi-actor, multi-level and multi-aspect transformation process;
- describe the main differences between different agricultural and rural development paradigms, in particular in relation to knowledge, technology, resources, policies and interventions;
- compare the similarities and differences of agricultural and rural development practices and processes in different parts of the world;
- define the factors enabling and constraining specific agricultural and rural development practices;
- explain the impact of urbanization on agricultural and rural development processes;
- clarify the disappearance and emergence of research themes in rural development sociology;
- understand the local and global context of agricultural and rural development processes.

Activities:

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

Examination:

- group assignments (30%);
- written exam with open/and or closed or multiple choice questions (70%).
To pass both components need a minimum mark of 5.50.

Literature:

Study guide and scientific articles through MyPortal.