SY2008:04
Rural Sociology and the Environment
Cairns
Prerequisites: SY1001 SY1002 and 12 other units of level 1 subjects
Inadmissable Subject Combination: SY3008
26 lectures, 24 tutorials. Second semester.
Staff: Dr J Elder.
This subject examines the major theoretical perspectives on rural society and examines some contemporary rural and environmental issues in north Queensland. The following questions provide the starting point. What is rural society? Are the economic choices and the experiences of community life different for rural people? The current transformation of rural life in north Queensland is examined in the context of the relationship between society and the natural environment. The issues addressed include: new industries and work processes, land and other forms of property, poverty and unemployment, changing attitudes to family, community and marginal groups and the increasing role of women in farm management.
Learning Objectives:
- develop an understanding of the key concepts in rural sociology;
- become familiar with current sociological writing on rural issues;
- learn to apply sociological theory to the analysis of contemporary social issues;
- develop analytical and research skills;
- display an understanding of the relationship between the environment and social processes, institutional forms and cultural understandings.
Assessment by in-class examination (30%); seminar presentation/essay (30%); research project (40%).
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