DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT,

UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, ILORIN, NIGERIA

COURSEWARE

Course: AXR 502 – Sociology of Rural Life

Lecturer: Rashid Solagberu Adisa
B. Agric., M. Sc., Ph. D. (Ilorin)
Email: [email protected], [email protected] Telephone: + 2348037523892
Office Location: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development,
First Floor, Faculty Main Building,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Consultation Hours: 1135 – 1335 Hrs, Mondays to Fridays
Course Content: Analysis of social structure of rural (agrarian) societies. Selected theories of
social change and their potential for modernization of rural societies in Africa, with particular
emphasis on Nigeria. Problems of rural society, their causes and possible solutions.
Course Description: The course is essentially a sociological approach to the study of rural
inhabitants in African countries, with Nigeria as the centrepiece. It deals with theoretical,
conceptual and practical issues that are associated with the total ways of life of rural (agrarian)
societies. The course uses scientific/sociological approaches to explain social change in rural
communities: how, when and why social change takes place and to what effect within the rural
social milieu. The course also uses contemporary data to analyse the problems and prospects of
rural life in Nigeria.
Course Justification: Agricultural production in Nigeria is still largely in the hands rural
farmers, who rely mostly on traditional production techniques. There must be a shift to the use of
modern agricultural technology for Nigeria to meet the challenges of producing adequate food
and raw materials for her ever-increasing population. An effective change in the production
modes of rural farmers – which is the ultimate goal of Agricultural Extension - is thus
imperative. Prospective agricultural extension and rural change agents must, therefore, avail
themselves of sound understanding of the ways of life of the people with whom they intend to
effect change for development.
Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students should possess a sound understanding of
rural life in Nigeria. Specifically, students should be able to:
- Analyze the rural society vis-à-vis its institutional, organizational, group, and individual set-ups
- Critically discuss social change in rural societies using relevant theories of social change
- Analyze the problems of rural society and proffer realistic solutions
Course Requirements: It is mandatory for students that registered for the course to attend at
least 75% of the lecture hours.
Method of Grading: Progressive assessment shall consist of two tests carrying 10% each, and
an essay that also carries 10%. The final examination carries 70%, thus giving a maximum
obtainable mark of 100%.
Course Delivery Strategy: The lectures shall be delivered to the students mainly through oral
presentations in the specified lecture room. Being a three credit course, there shall be three hours
of lecture per week. Students are strongly encouraged to take notes, ask questions, and offer their
comments during lectures.

LECTURES

WEEK 1

Objective: General overviews of Sociology, the sociological method and the field of Rural
Sociology

Description:

First Hour

Definition, scope, and importance of Sociology

Second Hour

The scientific method: characterization, hypothesis development, prediction, experiment,

evaluation and iteration

Third Hour

Definition, scope and relevance of Rural Sociology in the study of agricultural and rural
development in Nigeria

Study Questions:

1. Discuss the relevance of sociology in agricultural/rural development

2. What are the steps involved the scientific method of sociological research

3. Compare and contrast Sociology with other social sciences

 4. Examine the contributions of Comte, Marx, Durkheim, and Weber to the development of
Sociology.

Reading List

1. C. W. Mills, The Sociological Imagination, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195133730

2. Peter L. Berger, Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective, Anchor, ISBN

0385065299

3. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

WEEK 2

Objective: Analysis of structures of rural (agrarian) societies: rural social institutions

Description:

First Hour

Definition and types of rural social institutions in Nigeria

Second Hour

Compositions of rural social institutions

Third Hour

Functions of rural social institutions

Study Questions

1. Identify the similarities and differences between political and economic institutions in
African rural societies

2. What are the factors associated with the composition of rural social institutions in
Nigeria?

3. Discuss are the inhibiting factors in the performance of institutional roles in rural
societies

Reading List

1. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

2. http://en.wikibooks.org
WEEK 3

Objective: Analysis of structures of rural (agrarian) societies: rural social organizations

Description:

First Hour

Definition and types of rural social organizations in Nigeria

Second Hour

Compositions of rural social organizations

Third Hour

Functions of rural social organizations

Study Questions

1. Identify the similarities and differences between political and economic institutions in
African rural societies

2. Discuss the problems of rural social organizations in Nigeria

3. Suggest ways by which rural social organizations could be strengthened

Reading List

1. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

2. http://en.wikibooks.org

WEEK 4

Objective: Analysis of structures of rural (agrarian) societies: rural social groups and
collectivities

Description:

First Hour

Definitions of rural social groups and collectivities; similarities and differences between groups
and collectivities
Second Hour

Types and formation of rural groups and collectivities

Third Hour

Role of social groups and collectivities in rural societies

Study Questions

1. Differentiate between rural social groups and rural collectivities

2. Discuss the relevance of collectivities in the social life of rural people

3. Group teaching is the most effective teaching method among rural people. Discuss.

Reading List

1. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

2. http://en.wikibooks.org

3. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

4. Smelser, N.J. Theory of Collective Behaviour, New York: Free Press, 1963.

WEEK 5

Objective: Analysis of social change

Description

First Hour

The concept of social change: general definitions and types

Second and Third Hours

Types of social change in rural societies

Study Questions

1. What is social change

2. With relevant illustrations, discuss the types of social change in rural societies
Reading List

1. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

2. http://en.wikibooks.org

3. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

WEEK 6

Objective: Analysis of social change

Description:

First Hour

Sources of social change in rural societies

Second Hour

Effects of social change in rural societies

Third Hour

Individual behaviour and social change: The role of the catalytic individual

Study Questions

1. with the aid of relevant illustrations, classify the sources the sources of social change in
rural societies

2. Discuss the effects of social change in rural societies

3. What is autocatalysis? How does it affect social change in rural societies?

Reading List

1. Backer, T.E. Increasing participation means changing behaviour: What can be learned
from behavioural science? Grantmakers in the Arts Reader, 12(1), 18'22, 2001.

2. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

3. Touraine, A. The Self'-Production of Society, Chicago: University of Chicago Press,

1977.
WEEK 7

Objective: 1st Continuous Assessment Test and Analysis of theories of social change

Description

First Hour

1st Continuous Assessment Test

Second Hour

General theories of change: economic and political

Third Hour

General theories of change: cultural

Study Questions

1. Discuss the notion of Karl Marx that societies are largely determined by economic
factors.

2. What is the role of culture in social change?

3. Identify the economic, cultural, and political changes that had taken place in rural
societies in Nigeria.

Reading List

1. Marshall Gordon, 1994, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology ISBN 019285237

2. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

3. Merton Robert, 1957, Social Theory and Social Structure. London, The Free Press of
Glencoe
WEEK 8

Objective: To critically examine sociological theories concerning societal change: Structural-

Functionalism

Description

First Hour

Meaning, proponents and features of the structural-functional theory

Second Hour

Criticisms of the structural-functional theory

Third Hour

Implications of the structural-functionalist theory for rural societies in Africa

Study Questions

1. Structural-functionalism draws its foundations from the thoughts of Emile Durkheim.

Discuss.

2. ‘In structural-functionalist thought, individuals are not significant in and of themselves

but only in terms of their social statuses.’ Discuss.

3. What are the major limitations of structural-functionalist theory

4. Distinguish between latent and manifest functions of rural social institutions

5. Identify the significance of the structural-functional theory in the development of rural

societies in Africa.

Reading List

1. T. F. Hoult, 1969, Dictionary of Modern Sociology

2. Marshall Gordon, 1994, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology ISBN 019285237

3. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000
WEEK 9

Objective: To critically examine sociological theories concerning societal change: Symbolic

Interactionism

Description

First Hour

Meaning, proponents and features of the theory of symbolic interactionism

Second Hour

Criticisms of the theory of symbolic interactionism

Third Hour

Implications of the symbolic interactionism theory for rural societies in Africa

Study Questions

1. Explain what is meant by ‘humans are acting as opposed to being acted upon’, according
to Herman and Reynolds (1994)

2. ‘In symbolic interactionist thought, ‘the objective world has no reality for humans, only
subjectively-defined objects have meaning.’ Discuss.

3. What are the major limitations of symbolic-interactionist theory

4. Identify the significance of the symbolic interactionist theory in the development of rural
societies in Africa.

Reading List

1. T. F. Hoult, 1969, Dictionary of Modern Sociology

2. Marshall Gordon, 1994, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology ISBN 019285237

3. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

4. N. J. Herman and L. T. Reynolds, 1994. Symbolic Interaction: An Introduction to Social

Psychology. Altamira Press. ISBN 1882289226
WEEK 10

Objective: To critically examine sociological theories concerning societal change: Conflict

Theory

Description

First Hour

Meaning, proponents and features of the conflict theory

Second Hour

Limitations of the conflict theory

Third Hour

Implications of the conflict theory for rural societies in Africa

Study Questions

1. Explain what is meant by ‘society is not about solidarity or social consensus but rather
about competition’

2. Discuss the contributions of Karl Max, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Vilfredo Pareto to the
social-conflict perspective of social change.

3. Conflict theory overlooks the stability of societies. Discuss.

4. Identify the significance of the conflict theory in the development of rural societies in
Africa.

Reading List

1. T. F. Hoult, 1969, Dictionary of Modern Sociology

2. Marshall Gordon, 1994, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology ISBN

019285237

3. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000
WEEK 11

Objective: To conduct 2nd Continuous Assessment Test, and critically examine The Role
Theory

Description

First Hour

Meaning, proponents and features of the Role Theory

Second Hour

Criticisms of the role theory

Third Hour

Implications of role theory for rural societies in Africa

Study Questions

1. In order to change behaviour it is necessary to change roles. Discuss.

2. Discuss the propositions of Role Theory.

3. What are the major limitations of the Role Theory

4. Identify the significance of the Role Theory in the development of rural societies in
Africa.

Reading List

1. Marshall Gordon, 1994, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology ISBN 019285237

2. Giddens, A. and Duneier, M. Introduction to Sociology (3rd edition), New York and
London: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 2000

3. B. J. Biddle, 1986. Recent Development in Role Theory. Annual Review of Sociology

WEEK 12

Objective: To examine the resources of the rural society.

Description

First Hour

Analyze rural environmental and natural resources

Second Hour

Analyze rural human resources

Third Hour

Analyze rural cultural resources.

Study Questions

1. What are the major natural resources of rural communities in your home state?

2. Discuss the challenges and prospects of rural human resources in your local government
area.

3. Examine the role of culture in rural development?

Reading List

1. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

2. National Bureau of Statistics Publications

WEEK 13

Objective: To examine the problems of the rural society.

Description

First Hour

Analysis of statistical data on problems of rural life in Nigeria: health, education, and nutrition.
Second Hour

Analysis of statistical data on important aspects of rural life in Nigeria: agriculture, employment,
transportation, communication, and participation in civic responsibilities.

Third Hour

The concept of poverty as it concerns rural life in Nigeria.

Study Questions

4. What are the crucial problems in the educational sector of rural life in Nigeria?

5. Agricultural production in rural communities in present day Nigeria is faced with serious
problems. Discuss.

6. What are the implications of rural unemployment in Nigeria?

7. What are the ways by which rural poverty is manifested

Reading List

3. E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

4. National Bureau of Statistics Publications

WEEK14

Objective: To analyze the causes of problems of rural societies and proffer possible solutions

Description

First Hour

Causes of problems of rural societies

Second Hour

Past and present efforts aimed at overcoming the problems of rural societies

Third Hour

Suggestions for overcoming the problems of rural societies

Study Questions

1. Discuss the genesis of the problems of rural communities in your local government area
 2. Discuss the roles of rural people in the development of their communities?

3. Enumerate the efforts of government in development of rural societies in Nigeria

Reading List

E. E. Ekong, Introduction to Rural Sociology

WEEK 15

Objective: Revision of past lectures

Description

First Hour

Revision of work done in Weeks 1-5

Second Hour

Revision of work done in Weeks 6-10

Third Hour

Revision of work done in Weeks 11-14

Study Questions

All study questions during Weeks 1-14