Examines women's place in academic sociology, describing situations ostensibly structured to provide equal opportunities, but function to penalize female players. Discusses mentoring, role models, career and family responsibilities, tenure, promotion, dual academic career families, and research issues. Concludes there are still many barriers…

Presents salary data for rural sociologists employed in U.S. colleges and universities as full professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. Reports maximum, minimum, and mean salaries by region and year from 1986-87 to 1988-89. (SV)

Sketches some events in the life and career of Lowry Nelson, a rural sociologist, and relates these events to the development of rural sociology and the Rural Sociological Society. Asserts that the dream of using science to ameliorate social problems during the early development of rural sociology is still present today. (KS)

A 1998 membership survey returned by 354 members of the Rural Sociological Society examined member characteristics, members in academic settings, current and future views of the society, the society's role as advocate for rural America, and work-related issues. Results indicate that age and membership have remained stable, diversity has increased,…

Describes Rural Sociological Society 1999 awards: Excellence in Instruction, Jill Belsky, for designing a college program in rural and environmental change, and Lori Cramer, for strengthening interdisciplinary linkages among rural sociology, forestry, and agriculture; Excellence in Extension, Emmett Fiske; Excellence in Research, Sonya Salamon;…

Discusses the rural educational needs that led to the development of the U.S. Extension Service in the early 1900s. Lists demographic, sociological, political, and technological changes currently affecting extension education, and calls for research to clarify the future of the Extension Service. (SV)

Discusses the following alternatives for the colleges of agriculture: (1) continue the status quo; (2) specialize to serve the needs of a group not currently served by traditional colleges of agriculture; or (3) reduce the dependence on traditional clientele groups through more funding with grants from industries or governmental sources. Provides…

Describes rise of rural industries in People's Republic of China following 1978 reforms. Discusses government's emphasis on urban industrialization, role of rural agricultural production, rural incomes, and policy changes. Describes new industrialization, combining peasant and modern economies, and resulting increases in rural employment and…

Observes lower numbers of ethnic and cultural studies, despite growing need. Argues for appropriate, affirmative action to increase number of rural sociological studies. Sees "ray of hope" in 1990 meeting of Rural Sociological Society. Suggests more training, scholarships, monographs, research, and fellowships for researchers interested…

Examines socioeconomic forces affecting U.S. rural population. Describes signs of nation's maturity, changing national issues, and elements of rural diversity and social stratification. Discusses role of transportation, demise of animal agriculture, industrial and economic changes. Emphasizes conjectural nature of conclusions about society's…

Examines worldwide political, economic, and social transformations and their impact on agriculture, focusing on biotechnology. Discusses rise of international corporations and accompanying constraints on government power. Sees trend toward increasing agribusiness role in world food and agricultural sectors. Calls for broader views and research in…

Discusses research methods for studies of rural or agrarian households. Explores seven principles and general observations stemming from qualitative rural research. Discusses issues and characteristics of rural culture, society, families, and individuals as research subjects. Offers additional lessons regarding gathering, treatment, and analysis…

A panel at the Rural Sociological Society's (RSS) 65th annual meeting (2002) identified challenges to pursuing rural sociology careers in nonacademic settings: lack of career guidance and knowledge of nonacademic opportunities, limited graduate training in nonacademic areas, and devaluing of nonacademic work. Recommendations to universities and…

Explores reasons for absence of Chicanos in rural sociology. Possible causes include (1) absence of rural-sociology support system for Chicanos; (2) social-class biases and other institutional factors limiting Chicanos' higher-education and research opportunities; and (3) subject-matter limitations and uncertain status of ethnic studies. Suggests…

A survey of 1,105 Ontario farmers examined perceived quality of life as a function of social class, sex, age, education, income, and off-farm employment. Most farmers, especially highly educated and wealthy ones, felt their quality of life was high, but also believed they had been adversely affected by recent rural social change. (LP)