Social Relationship And Behavioural Change
- Agricultural Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 139 pages
- 22 units
This course explores social relationships and behavioral change within the context of agricultural extension and rural sociology. It examines interaction levels in social systems, theories of social relationships and behavioral change, and the nature of social change. Students will learn about group dynamics, communication patterns, strategies for introducing change, and factors affecting technology adoption. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to effectively communicate agricultural innovations and manage change in rural communities.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of AEM411, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
AEM411 · UNIT 1: SOCIAL INTERACTION
The first module focuses on the objectives, philosophical background of social interaction and human behaviour particularly in devising solutions to the problems of social system.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the levels of interaction in a social system.
- Discuss theories of social relationship and behavioral change.
- Analyze the nature and measurement of social change.
- Explain group dynamics and communication patterns.
- Plan strategies for introducing change in agriculture.
- Identify hindrances to agricultural change.
- Explain extension communication and the adoption process.
- State factors affecting the adoption of new technologies.
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Rural Development Officer
- Community Development Worker
- Agricultural Consultant
- Project Manager
- Agriculture
- Rural Development
- Community Development
- Government Agencies
- Non-Governmental Organizations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Theoretical Models of Social Relationship and Behavioural Change
Unit 1: Theories of Social Relationship
Theories require understanding of diverse perspectives and assumptions, making it challenging to compare and contrast them effectively.
- Module 5: Introducing Change
Unit 1: Strategies for Introducing Change I
Requires critical evaluation of various strategies and their applicability in different contexts, demanding nuanced understanding of local dynamics.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Social Interaction · 2 hours
Define social role and differentiate it from social status.. Explain primary group interaction and the agents involved.. Discuss secondary group interaction and its impact on individuals..
Unit 2: Human Behaviour · 2 hours
Explain human personality and its types.. Discuss physiological, external, and internal factors responsible for human motivation.. Explain intrinsic and extrinsic motivation..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: Solving Problems in the System · 2 hours
Identify behavioral, technological, communicational, political, and economic problems in a social system.. Explain decision-making processes and expectations of rulers and the ruled.. Discuss the role of education in problem-solving..
Unit 4: Social System Theory · 2 hours
Explain adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency in social system theory.. Discuss human, material, financial, and leadership resources.. Explain pattern management and tension management..
- Week 3Module 2: Theoretical Models of Social Relationship and Behavioural Change
Unit 1: Theories of Social Relationship · 3 hours
Define theoretical models and explain positivism and phenomenology.. Discuss the evolutionary, functional, conflict, and consensus models of social relationships..
- Week 4Module 2: Theoretical Models of Social Relationship and Behavioural Change
Unit 2: Theories of Behavioural Change · 3 hours
Explain behaviorist, psychodynamic, diffusionist, and cultural theories of behavioral change..
- Week 5Module 2: Theoretical Models of Social Relationship and Behavioural Change
Unit 3: Stages of Social Development · 3 hours
Explain the theological, metaphysical, and science/industrial stages of social development.. Discuss evolutionary theories of social change and the theorists of the 19th century.. Explain western industrial evolution..
- Week 6Module 3: Social Change
Unit 1: Behavioural Change · 3 hours
Discuss behavioral change in agriculture and the goals of agricultural development.. Explain social-cultural and economic obstacles to change.. Explain change incentives and ways of reducing resistance to change..
- Week 7Module 3: Social Change
Unit 2: Nature and Measurement of Social Change · 3 hours
Explain planned or unplanned, total or segmental, coercive or voluntary, and immanent or contact nature of social change.. State the conditions necessary for social change and list the characteristics of social change.. Discuss measurement of social change and explain methods of data collection..
- Week 8Module 3: Social Change
Unit 3: Social Indicator of Social Change · 3 hours
Define social indicators and state their uses.. Explain the variables of social indicators.. Discuss the processes of social change at the national level.. State the conditions for national development and identify the problems of development plans..
- Week 9Module 3: Social Change
Unit 4: Rural Culture in Social Change · 3 hours
Explain values and beliefs and discuss the foundation of values and beliefs.. Explain power and influence in social change.. Define social stratification and organization and state how social forces and cultural change affect social change..
- Week 10Module 4: Group Dynamics and Social Change
Unit 1: Group Dynamics and Communication Pattern · 3 hours
Explain what a group is and state the properties of a group.. Discuss the techniques and methods of social change.. Explain group's communication pattern and interaction..
- Week 11Module 4: Group Dynamics and Social Change
Unit 2: Factors Affecting Dynamics among Group · 3 hours
Explain the concept of group dynamics.. Explain the strategies for involving groups in extension work.. State the factors affecting dynamics among groups and the conditions conducive to social change in groups..
- Week 12Module 4: Group Dynamics and Social Change
Unit 3: Factors Affecting Group Participation · 3 hours
Identify the factors affecting the effectiveness of farmers cooperatives.. Explain the reasons for non-participation in group activities.. Discuss the problems of leadership among groups and explain frustration among group members..
- Week 13Module 4: Group Dynamics and Social Change
Unit 4: Roles of Members in Group Communication · 3 hours
Explain the negative and positive roles of members of a group.. Discuss the leadership roles in group assignments.. Explain ways of improving group communication..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-2 theories to real-world examples.
- Practice applying change strategies from Modules 5-6 to specific agricultural scenarios.
- Review case studies in Modules 3-4 and analyze factors influencing social change and group dynamics.
- Focus on key definitions and models from each unit, creating flashcards for quick recall.
- Simulate exam conditions by answering past TMA questions within a strict time limit.
- Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share different perspectives.
Questions students ask about this course
What is AEM411 about?
This course explores social relationships and behavioral change within the context of agricultural extension and rural sociology. It examines interaction levels in social systems, theories of social relationships and behavioral change, and the nature of social change. Students will learn about group dynamics, communication patterns, strategies for introducing change, and factors affecting technology adoption. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge to effectively communicate agricultural innovations and manage change in rural communities.
How many units does AEM411 have?
AEM411, Social Relationship And Behavioural Change, has 22 units across 6 modules, over 139 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is AEM411?
AEM411 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is AEM411 hard?
AEM411 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does AEM411 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 22 units.
How is AEM411 assessed?
AEM411 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with AEM411?
Agricultural Extension Officer, Rural Development Officer, Community Development Worker, Agricultural Consultant and Project Manager.