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AEM202Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Rural Sociology

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of rural sociology. It explores the concept of rurality, sociological terms, settlement patterns, and the significance of rural infrastructure. The course examines major social institutions in rural Nigeria, including marriage, family, education, religion, and political and economic systems. It also covers social interactions, rural development strategies, agricultural communication, and the dynamics of social change in rural communities.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Rural SociologySocial InstitutionsRural DevelopmentCommunicationSocial Change

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Rural Sociology Concepts

2

Settlement Patterns

3

Rural Infrastructure

4

Social Institutions

5

Social Interactions

6

Rural Development

7

Agricultural Communication

8

Social Change

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Agricultural Extension Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Rural Development Planner

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Development Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureCommunity DevelopmentGovernmentNon-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)Research Institutions

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 1: Definition and Concept of Rural Sociology

2 study hours
  • •Define rural sociology and explain its significance.
  • •Discuss the concept of rurality and its indicators.
  • •Explain the importance of rural sociology to national development.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 2: Definitions of Sociological Terms and Historical Development of Rural Sociology

2 study hours
  • •Define basic sociological terms such as culture, norms, statuses, and roles.
  • •Explain the historical development of rural sociology in Nigeria.
  • •Discuss the establishment of the Nigeria Rural Sociological Association (NRSA).
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 3: The Rural and Urban Livings/Settings

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate between rural and urban settings.
  • •Explain factors responsible for rural-urban differentiation, including size, population density, and occupation.
  • •Discuss the concept of the rural-urban continuum.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 4: Settlement Pattern and Village Organisation

2 study hours
  • •Define settlement patterns and village organization.
  • •Explain factors associated with settlement patterns, such as social conditions and physical conditions.
  • •Compare and contrast cluster and scattered settlement patterns.
Week
5

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 5: Rural Infrastructure

2 study hours
  • •Define rural infrastructure and its characteristics.
  • •Identify the typology of rural infrastructure, including physical, social, and institutional infrastructure.
  • •Discuss the effects of rural infrastructure on production, income, and welfare.
Week
6

Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

2h

Unit 1: Marriage and the Family

2 study hours
  • •Define marriage and the family.
  • •Identify features of the rural family, such as familism and continuity.
  • •Discuss the functions of the family, including reproduction, socialization, and economic support.
Week
7

Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

2h

Unit 2: The Rural School System

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the concept of education.
  • •Identify the functions of education, including transmission of culture and social change.
  • •Explain the problems of the rural school system and potential solutions.
Week
8

Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

2h

Unit 3: The Religious Institution

2 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of religion.
  • •Identify the three major forms of religion in Nigeria: Christianity, Islam, and traditional religion.
  • •Discuss the universal functions of religion, such as explaining the unknown and promoting group solidarity.
Week
9

Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

2h

Unit 4: The Political Institution

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of political institutions.
  • •Identify the features of local government in rural areas.
  • •Discuss rural political participation.
Week
10

Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

2h

Unit 5: Rural Economic Institutions

2 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of economic institutions.
  • •Identify the significance of economic institutions to rural farmers.
  • •Discuss the provision of farm credit and the acquisition of land.
Week
11

Module 3: Socialisation and Development of Rural Areas

4h

Unit 1: Social Interactions

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of social interaction.
  • •Identify different types of social interaction, including cooperation, competition, and conflict.
  • •Discuss conflict resolution strategies.

Unit 2: Rural Development in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Define Rural Development.
  • •Explain the goals of Rural Development.
  • •Identify the strategies for Rural Development.
Week
12

Module 4: Agricultural Communication and Change in the Society

4h

Unit 3: Rural Communities

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of a community.
  • •Describe the community life process.
  • •Identify the characteristics of a community.

Unit 1: Communication in Rural Society

2 study hours
  • •Define communication and its components.
  • •Identify types of communication, including vertical, horizontal, interpersonal, and mass communication.
  • •Discuss the principles of communication pertinent to agriculture in rural areas.
Week
13

Module 4: Agricultural Communication and Change in the Society

2h

Unit 2: Social Change

2 study hours
  • •Define rural social change.
  • •Identify the typology of rural social change, including economic, political, technological, cultural, and behavioral change.
  • •Discuss the sources of change in society and factors influencing the rate of change.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all unit objectives and ensure you can address each one.

2

Create concept maps linking key terms and theories from Modules 1 and 2.

3

Focus on understanding the different types of social interactions and their implications for rural development (Module 3).

4

Practice applying communication principles to real-world scenarios in agricultural extension (Module 4).

5

Pay close attention to the factors influencing the rate of social change and be prepared to discuss them with examples.

6

Allocate your time wisely during the exam, prioritizing questions based on their mark allocation and your confidence level.

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