Special Lecture on Natural Resources Economics IVB
| Numbering Code | G-AGR06 7FC06 LJ82 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Intensive, Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 1 | Course Type | Lecture | |
| Target Year | Target Student | |||
| Language | English | Day/Period | Intensive | |
| Instructor name | NEU，Claudia (Part-time Lecturer) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
【This intensive course, themed "Rural Sociology: Trouble in Paradise?," will be taught by Prof. Dr. Claudia Neu, Professor of Rural Sociology, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen, Germany.】 One of the primary objectives of this course is to introduce students to the principles of sociology in general and key concepts of rural sociology in particular. In addition, we want to provide the analytical tools for understanding the processes inherent to these concepts. Beyond that, the course aims at enhancing students’ ability to identify different research perspectives and to critically discuss and analyze research strategies and methods. The approach will generally be a sociological analysis of the transformation of postmodern societies. This development is forced by demographic, economic and social change. Nowadays we observe a differentiation and polarization of rural wellbeing and lifestyle in Europe, the US and Japan. Therefore the theoretical and empirical focus lies on transformation theories, social inequality in general and territorial inequality in special. |
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| Course Goals | As an introduction to rural sociology, this course is designed to give an overview of the sociological concepts of “rurality”, “demographic change”, “socioeconomic developments and social problems in rural areas”, “repeasantization” (deprivation, rural poverty). We will discuss gender inequality, the future of rural landscape and societies. Lectures outline each of these issues and position them within the context of sociology. We will use seminars to debate key questions raised during lectures and to discuss selected issues based on academic publications. | |||
| Schedule and Contents |
【This course is scheduled to be held in February 2022, but the exact schedule and format (online or in-person) is yet to be finalized and will be announced later.】 Lecture 1-3) Rural, Urban, Rurban? - Theory of Space and Place - Globalization and Demographic Change - Lost Places? Spatial Inequality, Rural Infrastructure - Knowing your place: Rural Identity? Lecture 4-5) Where have all the Farmers gone? - Image(s) of Farming - Peasants Lifestyle - Social Mobility of Farmers - Women on Farms Lecture 6-7) How will we live together? - Living in the Countryside - Japan/Germany; Rural Community - Into the Green: Social Innovation in Rural Areas - Rural Architecture? Rural Arts? - New Design for Rural Areas? - White Trash, Far-Right - Extremism and Rural Areas Lecture 8) Sociology of Food and Nutrition |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Grading will be done on the basis of class participation and discussion (50%), homework assignments regarding readings, and a brief assigned presentation by each student (50%). More than three absences without official excuse receives a fail. Refer to "2021 Guide to Degree Programs" for attainment levels of evaluation. |
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| Course Requirements | English proficiency suitable for understanding the lectures and contributing to the discussions. | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | ||||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | No textbook. Only several short readings associated with the lectures. | ||
| References, etc. |
Arlie Russel Hochschild: Strangers in Their Own Land. Anger and Mourning on the American Right: A Journey to the Heart of Our Political Divide. New York, 2016. David L. Brown; Kai A. Schafft: Rural People and Communities in the 21st Century. Resilience and Transformation, 2018. Georg Packard: The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America, New York, 2013. J.D.Vance: Hillbilly Elegy. A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, New York, 2016. Stephanie Assmann: Sustainability in Contemporary Rural Japan, Oxfordshire; 2016. Tsuneichi Myiamoto; Jeffrey Irish: The Forgotten Japanese: Encounters with Rural Life and Folklore, Berkley; 1962. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg: The New Peasantries, 2nd Ed., London, 2018. Jennifer M. Silva: We're Still Here: Pain and Politics in the Heart of America, New York 2019. |
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