Introduction To Rural Sociology

1. Explain the key concepts and principles of rural sociology.
2. Analyze the social, economic, and political dynamics of rural communities.
3. Identify the major social institutions in rural Nigeria and their functions.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of different rural development strategies.
5. Apply communication principles to promote agricultural innovation and social change.
6. Understand the factors driving social change in rural areas.

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 1: Definition and Concept of Rural Sociology · 2 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 2: Definitions of Sociological Terms and Historical Development of Rural Sociology · 2 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)..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 3: The Rural and Urban Livings/Settings · 2 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 4: Settlement Pattern and Village Organisation · 2 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..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 5: Rural Infrastructure · 2 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..

6. Week 6Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

   • Unit 1: Marriage and the Family · 2 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..

7. Week 7Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

   • Unit 2: The Rural School System · 2 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..

8. Week 8Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

   • Unit 3: The Religious Institution · 2 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..

9. Week 9Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

   • Unit 4: The Political Institution · 2 hours

     Explain the concept of political institutions.. Identify the features of local government in rural areas.. Discuss rural political participation..

10. Week 10Module 2: Major Rural Social Institutions in Nigeria

    • Unit 5: Rural Economic Institutions · 2 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..

11. Week 11Module 3: Socialisation and Development of Rural Areas

    • Unit 1: Social Interactions · 2 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 hours

      Define Rural Development.. Explain the goals of Rural Development.. Identify the strategies for Rural Development..

12. Week 12Module 4: Agricultural Communication and Change in the Society

    • Unit 3: Rural Communities · 2 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 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..

13. Week 13Module 4: Agricultural Communication and Change in the Society

    • Unit 2: Social Change · 2 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..