Rural sociology : an analysis of contemporary Rural life

This book is the outgrowth of us decorone with eachers of un sociology megerding the special requirements of courses in this dick pline The main charctives and the special features of the volume, a well as the organisation and style are the products of these discussions

Two major objectives have been kept foremost in mind throughout the preparation of this book. The first stems from the fact that many students who take rural sociology are getting their initial introduction to the field. Quite often they come from schools whose curriculis afford little oppor tunity for acquaintance with any of the social sciences, much less snel ology. Not usually they are well advanced in their undergraduate studies. In addition to this group of students, these courses customarily enroll sociology majors and other students with social science back grounds. The purpose, then, was to prepare a volume suitable for use as a first course in sociology, with regard to theoretical grounding, and interesting and stimulating to more advanced students, in terms of new material and special emphasis

The second major objective was to present American rural society of today as it is, dynamic and transitional. Accordingly, the idea that swift change is taking place can be said to be the central focus of the book. The impact of population shifts, technology, modern means of communi cation, formal education, and contemporary agricultural policy is di rectly and indirectly pointed out throughout the volume. Indeed, any other approach would be highly misleading concerning the present-day rural scene in the United States.

At least three features of this book set it apart from previously pub lished texts in rural sociology. First, an entire introductory section, as well as major parts of several later chapters, is devoted to general socio logical theory. This has been done not only to provide orientation for the beginning student but to emphasize the fact that rural sociology abides by the principles of all sociologies. The application of these prin ciples to rural life is, of course, the final aim of each discussion.