RDLN Rural Development Institute
The four-and-a half week RDLN Rural Development Institute is held every other year during May and June at the University of California at Davis. It has been hosted by the Department of Human and Community Development in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
At the Institute, there is intensive study and exchange among peers from different regions. Core couresework in the following areas complements the independent study designed by Leaders in consultation with their Advisors for the rest of the credits:
Learning Components
A. Overview of Rural America
Introduction to major regions, peoples, problems, and challenges of the rural United States, with an emphasis on groups and places in poverty and special emphasis on communities represented by RDLN Leaders. A look at the interrelationship of history, culture, socioeconomic factors, and choice of strategy for change. Identification of historical and contemporary trends in the rural U.S.
B. Tools for Rural Development
Introduction to skills and mechanism useful for comprehensive rural community development: library research, documents research and analysis, fundraising, expository writing, interpretation of statistics, accessing data, computer utilization, organizing, review of programs, structures and technologies, including credit mechanisms, youth programs, cultural programs, community controlled educational institutions, appropriate technology, housing. May include special emphases on topics like Microenterprise development, the Political Context of Rural Development or Rural Environmental Planning.
C. Economics and Economic Development
Introduction to basic economic concepts and methodology. Examination of determinants of economic growth and development. Opportunity to develop analytical skills in regard to problems of economic development in rural areas, including an understanding of alternative institutional systems and structures for the production and distribution of goods and services. Investigation of how alternative institutional structures influence the quality of life in rural areas.
Overview of financial markets, institutions and instruments, including the Federal Reserve system. Introduction to specific applications such as cost/benefit analysis of rural development projects and analysis to tax impact and to such functions as financial intermediation and financial leveraging.
Discussion of specific economic development efforts in some depth through case studies, including examples from communities where RDLN students live and work.D. Organization and Management
Review of structures of community development organizations; the process of setting institutional goals and objectives; review of alternative strategies for coordinating the accomplishment of goals and objectives; alternative means of budgeting and cash flow analysis; overseeing work flow; matching organizational structure to the type and size of the enterprise.
Resource People
Dr. Satyananda Gabriel, Academic Coordinator, RDLN Institute, Economics and Economic Development (Associate Professor of Economics, Mt. Holyoke College; recenty taught Economics at Nanjing Univeristy, China)
Isao Fujimoto, Overview of Rural Areas
Maria Varela, Rural Environmental Planning
Desmond Jolly
Dr. Margaret Eldred
Dr. Steve Brush, Chair, Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis
Dr. Annie King, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences