Special Lecture on Natural Resources Economics VIB
| Numbering Code | G-AGR06 7FC11 LE82 | 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 | Not fixed (Kyoto University) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
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” (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 |
Lecture 1) Introduction: Images of Farming Lecture 2) Transformation of the Industrialized World – Social and Demographic Change Lecture 3) The world is on the move: Migration and Rural areas Lecture 4) Working Mom: Changing family patterns – Comparing Japan and Germany Lecture 5) Farmer wants a wife? Women and Agriculture Lecture 6) Dead End? Future of Rural Areas Lecture 7) White Trash, Far Right – Extremism and Rural Areas Lecture 8) Into the Green: Social Innovation in Rural Areas |
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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 "2018 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. Colin Crouch, Post-Democracy, Cambridge; 2004. David L. Brown; Kai A. Schafft: Rural People and Communities in the 21st Century. Resilience and Transformation, forthcoming. 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. |
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