This course is designed to examine key dimensions of rural society throughout the United States and the world. What does it mean to be rural? Are rural people different from those who live in other areas? What are the trends that are affecting rural areas, both globally and in this country? What are some of the problems that people in rural areas must confront? Are rural areas likely to grow or to decline? This course will provide the information and analytical tools to understand rural society in a sociological context.