rural sociology note bsc agricuktuoswjgdsjkgfdsigcjgfr

1. Rural Sociology (B.Sc in Agricultural)
Prepared by
Milan Acharya
milanacharya321@gmail.com
GPCAR, PU
Purbanchal University (PU)
G.P. Koirala College of Agriculture/Forestry and Research Centre
Gothgaun, Morang

2. • Course Code : EXT 111
• Course title : Rural Sociology
• Credit Hours: 2+1
• Nature of course : Theory + Practical

3. Course Contents
Unit 1. Introduction: (i) Rural sociology: meaning, nature and importance. (ii)
Relation of rural sociology with other science, and social science. (iii) Major
scope and fields of rural sociology, methods and tools of rural sociology. (iv)
Sociology and way of life. 5 Hrs
Unit 2. Rural society and social structure: (i) Concept of rural society, meaning,
types of society, nature. (ii)Family, marriage, kinship, community, state, nation.
(iii) Traditions, norms, values, rule, laws, practices, and modification. (iv) Rural
community and its features, Nepali rural community and its global context. (v)
The rural social system, social process, rural hierarchy, caste, ethnicity, family,
power, structure and economy. 5 Hrs

4. Unit 4. Land system, policy and practice: (i) Kipat, Raikar, Guthi, Birta, Land
reform of Nepal – 2021, 2056 BS. (ii)Land use in mountain, hill and plain area of
Nepal. (iii) Land care, maintain and promotion of soil quality. 4Hrs
Unit 3. An overview of social, economic, and cultural structure of Nepal: (i)
Nepali society as diversity of society, caste, religion, and culture. (ii) Diversity of
economic sources; agriculture, animal husbandry, labor, industry, cottage
industry, trade and commerce, patterns and problems in economy, ways of
solutions. 5 Hrs

5. Unit 5. Rural organization, leadership development and society development:
(i) Concept and basic elements of rural society organization. (ii) Organization
building process and development. (iii) Induced and indigenous organization. (iv)
Civil Society Organization (CSO), role of CSO in social reformation. (v) Leaders
and leadership building in rural social development, good leader and model
society. 5 Hrs
Unit 6. Conflict and mediation trend in society: Conflict and contradiction in rural
society, different ways of solution, models mediation, agreement, arbitration.
3 Hrs
Unit 7. Current discourses on rural sociology: (i) Civil society and people
participation in development. (ii) Social inequality, causes and disadvantage.
(iii) Policy of social inclusion in Nepal. 3 Hrs

6. B. Practical exercise (30 Hrs)
SN Exercise Practical
1 Visit to rural community and identify major social problem. 2
2 Technique of data collection. 2
3 Data analysis 2
4 Rural need assessment of farmers of a village (PRA/RRA) 5
5 Report writing 2
6 Presentation 2

7. References
Bhattachan K.B. and Mishara C. eds. 2000. Devemental Practice in Nepal. Central Development of Sociology and
Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Bista D.B. 2010. Fatalism and Development: Nepal’s Struggle for Modernization. Orient Longman, Calcutta, India.
Chitamber J.B. 1997. An Introductory of Rural Sociology. New Age International Private Limited, New Delhi, India.
Desai A.R. 1995. Rural Sociology in India. Fifth edition. Popular Prakasan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, India.
George R. 2005. Sociological Theory. Mc Graw Hill Book Company USA/Singapore.
Gurung S.B. 1998. Rural Development Approach in Nepal. Deva Publication, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Mathema D.R. and Kanhiya R.B. 2000. Strategy of Rural Development in Nepal, Some Observation Some
Thoughts.
Sewa Printing Press, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Regmi M.C. 1990. Land Ownership in Nepal. Adroit Publication, New Delhi, India.
Robert C. 1992. Rural Appraisal, Rapid, Related and Participatory. Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK.
Shankar Rao C.N. 2008. Sociology. Sixth revised edition. S. Chand Limited and Company.
Singh K. 1998. Rural Development: Principle, Policies and Management. Sage Publication.

8. Sociology: Meaning, nature, scope and
other science

9. Sociology :
The term sociology is derived form the Latin word ‘ socious’ meaning
‘society’ and the Greek word logos meaning ‘study’ or ‘science’. The
etymological meaning of sociology is thus the ‘science of society’ The term
sociology was coined by Auguste Comte (1838 A.D). Including Auguste
Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer and Maxweber are called
‘Four founding father of Sociology’ Sociology is the study of social life
and behaviour, especially in relation to social system.

10. Sociology :
Definition: Literally sociology means the study of the process of human
relationship to society. No definition could entirely be satisfactory because
of the diversity of perspectives. However, the definition for sociology
according to various authors is given below for better understanding.
1)According to L.F Ward: ‘Sociology is a science of society.’
2) F.H. giddings: ‘ Sociology is the scientific study of society.’
3)Chitamber: Sociology is the study of human beings in their group
relations. As such it studies the interaction within and between groups of
people.
4) M. Ginsberg: Sociology is the study of human interaction and
interrelation, their conditions and consequences.

11. Sociology
From all the above definitions we can learn that sociologist differ in their
opinion about the subject matter of sociology. Hence we find the following
views:
- Sociology is a science of society.
- Sociology is a science of social relationship
- Sociology is the study of social life.
- Sociology is the study of human behaviour in groups.
- Sociology is the study of social system.
- Sociology is the study of social action.
However the common idea underlying them all is that sociology is concerned
with human relationship.

12. Need and Importance of Sociology:
Helpful in providing scientific knowledge about entire human society.
Helpful in solving labour problems.
Helpful in studying tradition.
Helpful in adjustment with new social situation.
Helpful in national unity.
Helpful in solving social problems.
Helpful in rural and urban development.
Contribution of sociology in making democracy a success.

13. • Real nature of Sociology:
- Sociology is a social science and not a natural science.
- Sociology is a positive science and not a normative one.
- Sociology is a pure science and not applied science.
- Sociology is an abstract science and not a concrete one.
- Sociology is a generalizing science and not a particularizing science.
- Sociology is both a rational (logical) and empirical(experienced) science.
- Sociology is a general science and not a special science.
- Fieldwork is the property in sociological research

14. Some branches of Sociology:
Sociology is a fast growing discipline. It has several specialised areas of inquiry each of
which may employ its own approach and techniques. Some main branches are given below.
-Historical sociology
-Sociology of knowledge ( recently emerged)
-Sociology of law
-Social or human ecology
-Sociology of education
-Political sociology
-Economic sociology
-Sociology of occupations
-Sociology of religion
-Rural sociology
-Industrial sociology
-Urban sociology
-Business sociology