4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

Rural development suggests overall development of rural areas with a view to improve the quality of life of rural people. It is a comprehensive and multidimensional process, involving the reorganization and reorientation of both economic and social systems that encompasses the development of agriculture and allied activities; cottage industries; socio-economic infrastructure; community services and facilities; and human resources in rural areas. This course is designed to enable students to better understand world poverty and hunger in the context of rural settings, and of varying perspectives, issues and challenges of rural development approaches in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Major issues include the growing diversity of livelihood strategies; rural poverty in low potential areas; the imperative need for stronger social protection; conflict resolution and management; the crisis of communicable and non-communicable diseases; and institutional capacity and governance. Major challenges include globalization and trade; urbanization; the 'de-agrarianization' of rural landscapes; rural risks, vulnerability and conflict; climate change and variability the increasing diversity of rural environments; and the special problems of low potential areas - in particular, small-scale farming may be facing unprecedented and unmanageable pressures. These issues and challenges will be examined through different roles, responsibilities and accountabilities including public sector, private sector, local institutions, and civil society. <a href="http://bit.ly/1bebp5s" target="_blank">Click here to see evaluations, syllabi, and faculty bios</a>