[URBANTH-L] Query on course development, exploring the relationship of urban and rural life

[Angela Jancius]

Dear Colleagues,

I have been thinking about developing a course that explores the
relationship between urban and rural life. Themes might include
migration/transnationalism, demographic change, subsistence/making
ends meet, boundary spaces (i.e. suburban communities, "shantytowns,"
tourist spots, globalized food), and a critical look at social science's
(and social policy's) polarization of urban vs. rural life, as embodied in
Toennies' portrayal of Geminschaft vs. Gesellschaft, and Redfield's
folk-urban continuum.  I wonder if anyone is teaching such a course
and, if so, how you've chosen to name it. Current anthropology
curriculum highlights urban studies and rural studies/peasant studies. But,
as the saying goes, it seems that "neither the twain shall meet"...

Please feel free to email me directly (jancius at ohio.edu). Or, if you'd like
to enter into a discussion on this topic, you may also email the listserv.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Angela


++++++++++++++
Angela Jancius, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Ohio University
jancius at ohio.edu