As a lecturer at the department of agricultural extension and rural sociology (University of Dschang, Cameroon), I taught various courses within the bachelor in Agricultural sciences and master programme (professional track) in agricultural economics and rural sociology. The main focus was on agricultural extension, rural sociology and rural development. I also (co-)supervised students who were in the process of writing their bachelor and master theses. I also assisted senior lecturers in supervising tutorials and marking student reports and theses. Please contact me for further information about my teaching portfolio and/or course outlines.
Previously taught:
Introduction to agricultural extension (“Introduction à la vulgarisation agricole” – Bachelor General course Agronomy and Forestry)
The Introduction to Agricultural Extension is the first course of a series on agricultural extension and advising within the training of agricultural economists and rural sociologists. This course intends to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the comprehensive understanding of key concepts, the importance of agricultural extension in rural development, the main actors involved and their and interactions, as well as the evolution of the discourses around agricultural extension in Africa in general, and in Cameroon in particular.
Applied rural sociology (“Sociologie rurale appliquée” – Professional Master Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology)
Many of us wrongly perceive a weak connection between sociology, agricultural sciences and natural resource management. Nevertheless, there exist significant connections between these disciplines. Examples are the effects of forced migration on natural resource management and agricultural development; the role of unequal power relations as drivers of local and wider conflicts; how social capital in developing countries contributes significantly to mobilize other important resources for maintaining local livelihoods. This course provides an introduction to the main discourses in rural sociology and the notions of rural, social capital and migration. It also explores the roles and consequences of the former concepts for resource mobilization, gender relations, return migration and local development, as well as the challenges relating to policy-making for agrarian change.
Rural development sociology (“Sociologie du développement rural” – Bachelor Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology)
This course provides insight in the main sociological theories that are instrumental in explaining rural development. Concepts of poverty, sustainable livelihoods and migration are critically discussed on the basis of case studies from Africa. This course teaches the students how to interpret and analyze the dynamics of rural development by looking at the structures and practices relating to rural-urban interface, diversification of rural livelihoods, and (return) migration. By doing this, it aims to foster the student’s knowledge and understanding of rural processes through the application of development theories. This course therefore serves as a theoretical building bloc that is necessary towards a Social Science Master study within the field of Agronomy.
Professional Practices II (“Pratiques Professionnelles” – Bachelor Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology)
Professional Practices II enables students in agricultural economics and rural sociology to critically reflect on the connections between knowledge gaining from theoretical lectures and practical situations along public and private professionals in the agricultural sector: decentralized agricultural and rural development administration, small business, cooperatives, non-governmental organizations and civil society. Through several out-door activities and in their interactions with these different actors, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for the design and implementation of their Bachelor research project and the completion of their bachelor thesis.
Inter-Disciplinary Field Excursion (“Activités Extra-Murales et Inter-Disciplinaires – AEMID” – Professional Master Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology)
This course consists of a one-day return trip to a unique rural locality in the Western highlands of Cameroon, at the intersection between three administrative regions and several ecosystems. This is an inter-disciplinary activity gathering the departments of agricultural extension and rural sociology, agricultural economics, plant protection, animal husbandry, agricultural engineering and forestry. It allows students to get an integrated insight of the most relevant processes and practices that are involved in describing, analyzing and interpreting the dynamics of rural complex reality and transformation. Through observing and interviewing different social groups in their daily encounters and interactions, this course aims to deepen the understanding and knowledge by critically looking at the interface between social, economic, agricultural, pastoral, forestry, technological structures and practices and how these are linked to community development.
Rosine T. Djomo 