Geographies of Rural Development

The changing nature of rurality and the opportunities and challenges in rural development are explored in this module. It explores different theories of development and their application at multiple geographical scales and in the context of contemporary concerns around inequality, sustainability, food and energy security. The course also explores the changing socio-demographic composition of the rural, globalisation and rural socio-economic change, influential rural policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy, rural livelihoods, conservation, conflicting rural land-uses, rural community development and governance. Theories and concepts are illustrated through numerous case studies in Irish and international settings.  

1. Explain and discuss the impacts of globalisation as it relates to social, economic and environmental processes in rural areas. 

2. Assess the role of environmental change in rural restructuring and its implications for community, economy, space and place

3. Discuss the impacts of contemporary approaches to rural development on rural environment, society, space, economy 

4. Describe and assess different theories of development and their application to the rural

5. Apply theoretical principles of rural community development to case study examples

6. Discuss the conflicts of interest that can occur between rural landuses and assess their impacts