Rural Sociology Courses

RU SOC 7120 Social Statistics (3).

(same as Sociology 7120). Descriptive statistics and bivariate quantitative analysis techniques commonly used by social scientists. Includes coverage of parametric and non-parametric methods. Introduction to computer analysis. graduate standing and SOCIOl 2950.

RU SOC 7130 Advanced Social Statistics (3).

(same as Sociology 4130). Introduction to multivariate analysis for social scientists. Emphasis on non-experimental applications of analysis of variance and correlation-regression. Computer applications emphasized. Prerequisite: graduate standing and 4120 or equivalent.

RU SOC 7301 Topics in Rural Sociology (3).

Current and new topics not currently offered in applied and/or theoretical areas in Rural Sociology. Prerequisite: RU SOC/ SOCIOL 1000 or equivalent, RU SOC 4301; graduate standing. Graded on A/F basis only.

RU SOC 7310 Sociology of Agriculture and Natural Resources (3).

Overview of current issues in the study of rural society. Emphasizes the relationships among social organization, agriculture, natural resources and the global economy. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

RU SOC 7315 Social Demography (3).

(same as Sociology 7315). Prerequisite: graduate standing and RU SOC 1000 or SOCIOL 1000 and junior standing.

RU SOC 7325 American Community Studies (3).

An introduction to the study of American communities. The course starts with community theories and then focuses on a wide variety of historic and contemporary community studies such as Plainville, Middletown, Sidewalk and others. Seminar format. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

RU SOC 7335 Social Change and Trends (3).

(same as Sociology 7335). Nature of social change. Emphasis on sociological theories and models of social change and their application in analysis and implementation of change in social structures. Prerequisites: RU SOC 1000 or SOCIOL 1000 and graduate standing.

RU SOC 7341 Building Communities from the Grassroots (3).

Introduction and application of basic community development concepts, methods and practical skills for involving and empowering local citizens and leaders effectively in community-based efforts regardless of the issue. Prerequisite: graduate standing or instructor's consent.

RU SOC 7342 Empowering Communities for the Future (3).

Focuses on the professional practice and applications of community-based development including participatory action research, community economic development, organizational development, use of technology, citizen education and integration of practice. Graded on A/F basis only. Prerequisite: graduate standing and instructor's consent.

RU SOC 7343 Creating Capacity for Dynamic Communities (3).

Addresses community and citizen power; large group intervention processes for change; facilitating small group process; community organizing; community sustainability, dealing with poverty and disenfranchisement; community conflict resolution; ethics; and integration into practice. Graded on A/F basis only. Prerequisite: graduate standing and instructor's consent.

RU SOC 7370 Environment and Society (3).

(same as Sociology 7370). An interdisciplinary examination of domestic and international environmental issues focusing on social, cultural, and policy dimensions. Perspectives of the social sciences and humanities are included. Prerequisites: graduate standing.

RU SOC 7445 Smr on Issues in the Sociology of Agriculture & Natural Resources (3).

Issues in current research in the sociology of agriculture of developing and industrial nations. Links sociological theory with research in agriculture, examining contributions of applied research to sociological knowledge.

RU SOC 7446 Community Social Structure (3).

(same as Sociology 7446). A comparative study of communities in different nations and in urban and rural areas. A primary focus of the course will be on social change in communities in response to changing economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological factors.

RU SOC 7500 Sociology of Social Policy (3).

(same as Sociology 7500). Sociological theories and methodologies focused on social policy; policy as process, contextual and critical policy analyses; assessing policy effects and consequences. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

RU SOC 8085 Problems in Rural Sociology (cr.arr.).

Research for student capable of semi-independent work. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

RU SOC 8090 Research in Rural Sociology (cr.arr.).

Research leading to thesis or dissertation. Graded on a S/U basis only.

RU SOC 8287 Seminar in Social and Economic Development (3).

(same as Sociology 8287). Analysis of world economy and societal development: assessment of contemporary and historical bases of international economic and political stratification.

RU SOC 8402 Research Design for Social Intervention (3).

Study of techniques for systematic design and development of social programs intended to improve material conditions of target audience and/or solve social problems; methods to demonstrate generalizabilty or replicability of program design and impact. Prerequisite: RU SOC 4130/7130 or equivalent, or instructor's consent. MPS core course.

RU SOC 8425 Social Processes of Information/Knowledge Utilization (3).

(same as Sociology 8425). Factors conditioning communication and diffusion of ideas and practices; exercise of personal influence; role of change agents and agencies in the process of change. Prerequisites: graduate standing or instructor's consent.

RU SOC 8430 Program Development and Evaluation (3).

(same as Agricultural Education 8430). Program development principles, teaching plans and evaluation principles applied to extension program development. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

RU SOC 8435 Political Ecology (3).

Political ecology is an analytical approach to environment and natural resource issues at local, regional and global scales, emphasizing political, economic, cultural, social and historical factors and their relationship to ecological trends and processes. Seminar format. Graded on A/F basis only.

RU SOC 8444 Agriculture, Food and Community (3).

Introduces key debates in the sociology of food and agriculture. Includes research on the structure and history of the agriculture system and its impacts on farmers, communities and the natural environment.

RU SOC 8447 Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Rural Sociology (cr.arr.).

RU SOC 8448 Society and Ecosystems Research Seminar (3).

(same as Agricultural Economics 448 and Natural Resources 448). This seminar, capstone for the Graduate Certificate Program in Society and Ecosystems, exposes students to interdisciplinary research on interactions between social, economic and ecological systems.

RU SOC 8450 Research in Rural Sociology (cr.arr.).

Research not expected to terminate in thesis or dissertation. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.

RU SOC 8510 Research Methodology (3).

(same as Agricultural Education 8510). Basic methodological issues, design, and application in social science research. Qualitative and quantitative approaches examined. Student projects developed with data collection and computer application.

RU SOC 8610 Economic and Sociological Approaches to Collective Action (3).

(same as Agricultural Economics 8610). This course identifies analytical and methodological tools, including rational choice and social capital, to deal with practical problems of collective action in: agricultural cooperatives, rural community development, political interest groups and other mutuals.

RU SOC 9090 Research in Rural Sociology (cr.arr.).

Research leading to thesis or dissertation. Graded on a S/U basis only.

RU SOC 9287 Seminar in Qualitative Methods in Sociology (3).

(same as Sociology 9287). Examination of various qualitative methods of research, including problem-formulation, access and interpretation of data, theory-generation, and preparation of research reports. Prerequisites: RU SOC 8510 or instructor's consent.

RU SOC 9437 Synthesis of Theory and Method in Sociology (3).

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a critical understanding of the basic theoretical paradigms employed in the development of research projects in sociology. The course is designed for graduate students. Prerequisites: RU SOC 4130 and 8510, or instructor's consent.

RU SOC 9480 Quantitative Applications in Community Research (3).

(same as Sociology 9987). This course focuses on the application of social science research methods to the unique kinds of problems that arise in the study of whole communities. Prerequisite: Rural Sociology 8510.

RU SOC 9510 Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation (3).

(same as Agricultural Education 9510). A quantitative methods course in measurement, data collection and analysis related to social and behavioral science research. An applied approach is taken on instrumentation and analyzing data using descriptive and inferential statistics. Practical skills in data manipulation using SPSS are developed. Prerequisite: AG ED/RU SOC 8510 or instructor's consent. Graded on A/F basis only.

RU SOC 9837 Seminar in Multivariate Analysis Techniques (3).

(same as Sociology 9837). Examination of various qualitative techniques of data analysis. Prerequisites: RU SOC 8510 or instructor's consent.