Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-185) and index.

Introduction -- 'A problem in search of discipline' (Hamilton 1990: 232) the history of rural sociology -- New issues in rural sociology an d rural studies -- The 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic in the UK - - The hunting debate: rural political protest and the mobilisation of d efence of country sports -- Game shooting in the United Kingdom -- Repr esenting the rural: new methods and approaches -- Conclusion: the futur e of rural societies and rural sociology -- Appendix: rural sociology i nstitutional framework: critical masses of rural researches in universi ty departments/centres and institutes; sociologists with a periphery in terest in the rural; professional associations and rural journals -- No tes -- Glossary of key terms -- References.