Rural Sociology
- Agricultural Sciences
- 700 level
- 111 pages
- 21 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of rural sociology. It explores the social and cultural factors shaping life in rural communities, covering topics such as rural social organization, institutions, leadership, and social change. The course aims to create an awareness of the interactions and relationships within rural settings and how these dynamics contribute to the survival and livelihoods of rural populations. It also examines strategies for rural development and the impact of social change on these communities.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 39 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of AEM741, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
AEM741 · UNIT 1 MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF RURAL SOCIOLOGY
Rural sociology is the scientific study of rural life. It is the systematic body of knowledge which had resulted from the application of the scientific method to the study of the rural society, its organization, structure, social processes, basic social system, institutions and dynamics (Jibowo, 2000).
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept and importance of rural sociology.
- Identify and analyze the social institutions present in rural communities.
- Describe different leadership styles and their functions in rural settings.
- Discuss the sources, types, and factors affecting social change in rural areas.
- Examine strategies for rural development and their effectiveness.
- Understand the diffusion and adoption process of innovations in rural communities.
What it prepares you for
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Community Development Worker
- Rural Sociologist
- Policy Maker
- Researcher
- Agriculture
- Community Development
- Government
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Rural Social Institutions
Unit 3: The Religious Institution
Understanding the nuances of various religious beliefs and their impact on community practices requires careful consideration and sensitivity.
- Module 4: Leadership in Rural Communities
Unit 1: Theories and Types of Leadership
Applying different leadership theories to real-world rural scenarios demands critical thinking and contextual awareness.
- Module 5: Social Change and Rural Development
Unit 2: Factors Affecting Social Change
Analyzing the interplay of various factors affecting the rate of social change requires a comprehensive understanding of complex social dynamics.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Meaning and Importance of Rural Sociology · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Define rural sociology and its importance.. Understand the definitions of rural sociology and the concept of 'rural'.. Examine the degree of rurality and its importance in Nigeria.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction
Unit 2: The Rural and the Urban Settings · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Differentiate between rural and urban settings.. Compare occupations, recreation, size, and population density.. Examine social differentiation, stratification, mobility, interaction, and solidarity.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction
Unit 3: The Rural Population · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Study the characteristics of the rural population.. Understand age composition, sex ratio, and household size.. Examine occupational status, fertility, and mortality rates.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction
Unit 4: Rural Migration · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand the concept of rural migration.. Examine reasons for migration, including rural-urban, rural-rural, and urban-rural migration.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4..
- Week 5Module 2: Rural Social Organization
Unit 1: Social Group · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Define social groups and their characteristics.. Differentiate between primary and secondary groups.. Examine locality groups and voluntary associations.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 6Module 2: Rural Social Organization
Unit 2: Sociological Concepts · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand sociological concepts such as social status, norms, beliefs, and values.. Examine social stratification, transmission, control, role, and culture.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
- Week 7Module 2: Rural Social Organization
Unit 3: Pattern of Settlements · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Study patterns of rural settlement.. Examine nucleated and dispersed settlement patterns.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each pattern.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3..
- Week 8Module 2: Rural Social Organization
Unit 4: System of Agriculture · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand systems of agriculture.. Examine river bank, fire, hoe, rudimentary plough, advanced plough, and mechanized farming.. Study farming systems such as shifting cultivation, tree crop farming, sedentary cultivation, and livestock farming.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4..
- Week 9Module 3: Rural Social Institutions
Unit 1: The Family · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Study the family as a social institution.. Examine forms of marriage, rules of descent, residence, and authority.. Understand the functions of the family and changes in the Nigerian family.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 1..
- Week 10Module 3: Rural Social Institutions
Unit 2: Educational Institution · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Study the educational institution.. Examine types of education, adult education, and rural educational needs.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 2..
Unit 3: The Religious Institution · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Study the religious institution.. Examine religious beliefs, magical beliefs, biomedical beliefs, and fatalistic beliefs.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 3..
- Week 11Module 3: Rural Social Institutions
Unit 4: The Economic Institution · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Study the economic institution.. Examine factors of economic institutions and resources of rural economies.. Understand rural economies such as hunting, lumbering, pastoral, collecting, fishing, craft, and farming communities.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 4..
- Week 12Module 3: Rural Social Institutions
Unit 5: The Political Institution · 3 hours
Read Unit 5: Study the political institution.. Examine levels of political power and types of power.. Understand the role of local government in community development and rural social change.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment 5..
- Week 13Module 5: Social Change and Rural Development
Unit 1: Concept and Sources of Social Change · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Study the concept and sources of social change.. Examine types of change and the nature of change.. Read Unit 2: Study the factors affecting social change.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignments 1 and 2..
Unit 2: Factors Affecting Social Change · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Study the diffusion and adoption of agricultural innovations.. Examine the adoption process, adopter categories, and factors affecting adoption.. Read Unit 4: Study the objectives and strategies of rural development.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignments 3 and 4..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and definitions.
- Develop case studies applying theoretical concepts to real-world rural scenarios.
- Practice analyzing the factors affecting social change and rural development strategies.
- Form study groups to discuss and clarify challenging topics, especially leadership theories and adoption processes.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) to identify areas needing further study.
- Create concept maps linking Modules 2-3 (Social Organization and Institutions) to understand their interdependencies.
- Focus on understanding the various strategies for rural development (Module 5) and their practical applications.
Questions students ask about this course
What is AEM741 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of rural sociology. It explores the social and cultural factors shaping life in rural communities, covering topics such as rural social organization, institutions, leadership, and social change. The course aims to create an awareness of the interactions and relationships within rural settings and how these dynamics contribute to the survival and livelihoods of rural populations. It also examines strategies for rural development and the impact of social change on these communities.
How many units does AEM741 have?
AEM741, Rural Sociology, has 21 units across 5 modules, over 111 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
Is AEM741 hard?
AEM741 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does AEM741 take to study?
About 39 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.
How is AEM741 assessed?
AEM741 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with AEM741?
Agricultural Extension Officer, Community Development Worker, Rural Sociologist, Policy Maker and Researcher.