INTRODUCTION TO RURAL SOCIOLOGY

1. Explain the key concepts and theories in rural sociology.
2. Identify and analyze the major social institutions in rural Nigeria.
3. Evaluate the strategies and approaches to rural development.
4. Apply communication principles in rural settings.
5. Assess the impact of social change on rural communities.
6. Describe settlement patterns and the role of infrastructure in rural areas.

13 weeks, about 31 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction

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

     Read the definition and explanation of rural sociology.. Understand the concept of rurality and its indicators.. Explain the meaning of sociology and its relevance to rural studies.. Discuss 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 and describe basic sociological terms such as culture, norms, statuses, and roles.. Explain the historical development of rural sociology in Nigeria.. Discuss the important events in the development of rural sociology..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction

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

     Explain the concepts of rural and urban settings.. Identify and discuss the factors responsible for rural-urban differentiation, including size, population density, and occupation..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction

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

     Define settlement pattern and village organization.. Explain the factors associated with settlement patterns.. Discuss the characteristics, merits, and demerits of cluster and dispersed settlement patterns..

5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 5: Rural Infrastructure · 2 hours

     Define rural infrastructure and its characteristics.. Identify and explain the typology of rural infrastructure.. Discuss the effects of rural infrastructure on production, income, and welfare.. State the methods for providing rural infrastructure..

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

   • Unit 1: Marriage and the Family · 2 hours

     Define marriage and the family.. Identify and discuss the features of the rural family.. Explain the functions of the family in rural society.. Identify the stages in the family life of a rural farmer.. Discuss the different forms of marriage in Nigeria..

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

   • Unit 2: The Rural School System · 2 hours

     Define education and its functions.. Identify the types of education available in rural Nigeria.. Discuss the problems of the rural school system and their 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.. Discuss the universal functions of religion in rural communities..

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.. Describe how rural people participate in political activities..

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

    • Unit 5: The Rural Economic Institution · 2 hours

      Explain the meaning of economic institutions.. Identify the significance of economic institutions to rural farmers.. Discuss the provision of farm credit, land acquisition, labor supply, and marketing of farm produce..

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

    • Unit 1: Social Interactions · 2 hours

      Explain the concept of social interaction.. Identify and discuss the different types of social interaction, including cooperation, competition, conflict, accommodation, assimilation, and acculturation..

    • Unit 3: Rural Communities · 2 hours

      Define the term 'community'.. Describe the community life process.. Identify the characteristics of a community..

12. Week 12Module 3: Socialisation and Development of Rural Area

    • Unit 2: Rural Development in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Explain the meaning of rural development.. Discuss the goals, strategies, and approaches to rural development.. Identify the stages and predicaments of rural development in Nigeria..

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

    • Unit 1: Communication in Rural Society · 2 hours

      Explain the meaning of communication.. Identify and explain the types of communication.. State the principles of communication pertinent to agriculture in rural areas.. Explain the concept of communication and technological transfer..

    • Unit 2: Social Change · 2 hours

      Define rural social change.. Identify and explain the typology of rural social change.. Discuss the characteristics and sources of social change.. Explain the factors influencing the rate of change in the society..