GRADUATE COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE ID
1.0 Catalogue Number : RD 704
2.0 Course Title
: Theories and Strategies of Change
3.0 Course Description : A systematic analysis of selected theories of social change with special emphasis on
the psycho-social approach leading to an understanding of the change process and alternatives for effective
change.
4.0 No. of units/Teaching Hours: 3 units, 3 hours per week
5.0 Course Objectives:
To develop the students ability to:
5.1 Interpret, analyze and apply major social change theories and appropriate strategies in rural
development;
5.2 Appreciate the history, analytical foundations and comparative perspectives of these theories and
strategies of change;
5.3 Operationalize selected theories and evolve strategies of change for particular rural development
projects; and
5.4 Learn to apply/use selected theories of change in research and development.
6.0 Course Requirements:
Two exams (1 sit-in and 1 take home)
1 Oral and written report
2 Reaction papers
1 Group workshop output (theory construction)
Class participation
Total

30
15
10
30
15
100

7.0 Course Content/Design

Contents

Specific Objectives

References/Materials

Teaching
Strategies

PART I. COURSEORIENTATION

To orient students of the

course content and
requirements

Course syllabus

Unfreezing
Leveling off

PART II. OVERVIEW,

DEFINITIONS, CONTEXT
SETTING AND
PROLOGUE TO
THEORETICAL
DEVELOPMENT

To provide an overview of
social change and explain
its importance, basic
assumptions and
background

Panopio, I. Et al. 1995.

Sociology:Focus on the
Philippines. Ken
Incorporated.
Quezon City, Philippines

Lecture
Group
discussion

To clarify various
definitions and features of
needed terms and
formulate operational
definitions

Garcia, M. 1993.
Development: Its
Sociological Dimensions.
National Bookstore,
Manila, Philippines

To situate social change in

relation to development
emphasizing holistic and
sustainable concepts

So, Alvin. 1997. Social

Change and
Development. Sage
Publications

To appraise the
approaches,
weaknesses/reiterations in
studying theories

Lauer, Robert H.
Perspectives on Social
Change. Allyn and Bacon
Inc. USA.

A. Importance of and
basic assumptions
in social change
B. Definitions and
features of
- social
change
- theories
- social
change
theories
- development
- other
important
concepts

Evaluation

Assignment
Class
participation

RM

used in social
change
C. Theory in relation
to research
D. Social change and
- societys
dynamism
- rural dev
- holistic dev
- sustainable
development
E. Prologue to
theoretical
development
-

evolution of
society
theoretical
development

To present the prologue to

theoretical development
following an evolutionary
perspective

Maquiso, T. R. 1997.
Socio-Anthro: An
Introduction to Sociology.
Groundwater Publications
and Research
Corporation, Makati City,
Philippines
Jordans, Eva, et al. 1992.
Poverty and
Development.
Development Cooperation
Information Department.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
The Hague, Netherlands
Several readings taken
from the INTERNET

Contents

Specific
Objectives

References/Materials

Teaching
Strategies

Evaluation

PART III. THEORIES OF SOCIAL

CHANGE
A. 19th century theories, early
20th, mid-20th theories and
recently formulated/used
theories with emphasis on:
- the scholars and
background of the
theorys development
and its connection
with past and present
theories
- salient
concepts/paradigms/
models embedded in
the theories
- issues/phenomena
addressed by the
theories
- merits/functionality of
the theories
- polemics/weaknesses
of the theories
- empirical evidences
found using the
theories

To present an array
of important
theories that could
shed light to some
social change
phenomena
To discuss the
selected theories
background,
conceptual
underpinnings and
merits/demerits
when applied to the
analysis of ongoing development
scenario

So, Alvin. 1997. Social

Change and
Development. Sage
Publications
Lauer, Robert H. 1982.
Perspectives on Social
Change. . Allyn and
Bacon Inc. USA.
Etzioni and Etzioni.
Social Change, Sources,
Patterns and
Consequences. Basic
Books, Inc. USA.
Smelser,
N. J. 1994.
Sociological Theories.
International Social
Science Journal. USA.

Lecture
Group
discussion
Tutorial
Video
presentation

Assignment
Class
participation
Exam
Case
analyses

RM

B. Social Psychological
Theories
-

C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.

Webers theory
(protestant ethic and
spirit of capitalism)
Hagens theory
(creative personality)
Mc Clellands theory
(N-achievement
oriented personality)

Evolutionary theories
Cyclical Theories
Conflict theories
Structural-functional
theories
Systems theory
Modernization
Dependency theory
World systems theory
Theory of Gender
Stratification

Vago, Stevens. 1980.

Social Change. Holt,
Rhinehart and Winston,
New York.
Blumberg, R. L. A
General Theory of
Gender Stratification
Pagaduan, M. and PerezCorral V (eds). 1996.
Women, Development
and Aid. G-10. Manila,
Philippines.
Several readings from the
taken from the
INTERNET

Contents

Specific Objectives

References/Materials

PART IV. APPROACHES IN

(STRATEGIES OF) SOCIAL
CHANGE
A. Approaches/strategies to
attain social
change/development
- Philippines
- Other countries
B. Concepts, merits and demerits
of existing
approaches/strategies in
materializing social
change/development
C. Suggestions/recommendations
to increase effectiveness of
the approaches/strategies
D. Synchronizing/complementing
theory with approaches to
attain social
change/development
E. Theory construction

To share
experiences/knowledge
re functional strategies
used by different
countries

Lauer, Robert H. 1982.

Perspectives on Social
Change. . Allyn and
Bacon Inc. USA.

To assess the social

change approaches
and strategies used in
development efforts

World Bank.2002.
Reaching the Rural
Poor:WBs Renewed
Strategy for Rural
Development. USA.

To situate the
approaches/strategies
functionality in
reference to particular
theories of social
change
To integrate lessons
learned in the course
through a theory of
development

8.0 Prepared By: FE L. PORCIUNCULA

Case/country reports

Teaching
Strategies
Lecture
discussion
Video
presentation
Powerpoint
presentation
Workshop

Evaluation
Assignment
Case
analysis
Class
participation
Exam

RM

Professor II
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS:
1. Read carefully and internalize the contents of this syllabus which will guide you for the
duration of the class in RD 704.
2. As for your assignment, undertake a library research on the listed theories of social change
by particularly looking on the proponents, assumptions, unit of analysis and

strengths/weaknesses.