RURAL SOCIOLOGY

This course is designed to offer students an in-depth understanding of the inherent nature of, characteristics of, livelihoods in, life and behaviour of people living in, rural settings. In depth understanding of rural settings and the behaviour of the inhabitants therein is very crucial to development studies since the majority of people, and indeed the majority of the poor, live in rural areas and thus any attempt to meaningful development must consider the rural people and their rural settings. Students will be made to understand the inherent characteristics of rural areas vis--vis life in urban settings. They will then be introduced to the three main sociological theories that can enable us (sociologically) interpret reality. Then a deeper analysis of the rural people, their livelihoods, challenges, social relationship/behaviour in rural environment will be made. Finally the course will also look at the possible dynamics of a social change process (of a rural setting).