LESSON 1: WHAT IS A COMMUNITY?

1. COMMUNITY
 The term community has been defined from different perspectives based
on researches in various fields.
 These fields include anthropology, sociology, and political science.
Primarily, the understanding of community is linked with the notion of a
neighborhood or village, where interpersonal ties are considered to be
locally-bound.
A. SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE
 Social Science views community as composed of people interacting with
one another, sensitive to each other's emotions, as well as interests and
subjective points of view.
 "Social Science" is an umbrella term for the various fields of study which
examine social relations and human society.
 Basically, from a social science perspective, a community is described as
a group of people in a particular area interacting together.
o Social Science has several fields, including Anthropology,
Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
I. ANTHROPOLOGY
 This field examines the various aspects of humans, such as their
biology, behavior, culture and social interactions.
 It may also study how people adapt their ways of living to different
environments, e.g, determining ways to help a community solve
health-related concerns.
 This can be addressed by understanding the situation through
interacting with the people in the community, connecting its history
with its present conditions, and eventually solving the community's
concerns
II. Economics
  This field studies the production, allocation and consumption of
goods and services. In any community, one finds various forms of
wealth distribution. The ultimate goal of economics is to improve the
lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied.

III. POLITICAL SCIENCE

 This field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating
power, influence, and decision-making.
 This includes types of governments and management systems, and
how people in small bands or informal groups make decisions when
they do not have a recognized leader.
 All communities have some form of political system. The members of
a community should understand how its political system works, how
power and influence are distributed (though not always the same
way) and what changes occur.
IV. PSYCHOLOGY
 This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior.
This extends to interactions between people and interpersonal
relationships.
 It comprises a variety of different subfields including abnormal
psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and
social psychology. Psychology in general is most often associated
with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses.
V. SOCIOLOGY
 This field is the study of society, social order, social interactions, and
culture. It introduces the concepts of social capital and
communitarianism.
 Social capital is defined as the networks of relationships among
people who live and work in a particular society for the effective
functioning of the community.
  The concept of communitarianism explains the connection between
the individual and the community. Every person has a special role in
one's society, and it is part of human nature to relate with other
people in various conditions or situations.
B. INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
 The Institutional Perspective views the concept of community in three
different dimensions.
I. First, it is an existing establishment or physical space where
members of the community go for a certain purpose.
 Examples of this are the companies, hospitals, or educational
institutions.
II. Second is the institutional community as a social model.
 This is defined by networks and institutions where community groups
are formed in certain areas such as schools, churches or companies,
and members gather to meet their needs.
 People join clubs and associations to hone their skills, join religious
organizations to deepen their faith, participate in media activities to
improve their communication skills, and meet with friends and family
at restaurants to satisfy their hunger.
 Some of the religious organizations based in the Philippines are the
Catholic Church, the Agama Islam Society, Couples for Christ, and
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.
III. The third dimension is that community is composed of the ways
people act, interact with each other, react, and expect each other to
act and interact.
 Examples include institutions such as marriage or friendship, roles
such as mother or police officer, status or class, and other patterns of
human behavior.
 This dimension presents how people act in relation to each other. It
includes their expectations, assumptions, judgments, predictions,
responses and reactions.
  It perceives patterns of relationships sometimes identified as roles
and status, and the formation of groups and institutions that derive
from those patterns.
 For example, a "father" is both a role and an institution. This explains
that in a community, its social organization is the sum total of all
those interrelationships and patterns.

C. CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVE

 The Civil Society perspective stresses the idea of forming a group,
foundation or an organization in service to society.
 This perspective views society as a community of citizens linked by
common interests and collective activity.
o Examples include people's organizations, civic organizations,
and social movements.
 This is considered the affective model of community since a sense of
belonging is achieved due to the collaboration of shared interests and
identities in serving the humanity.
 Groups of people come together regardless of location, and organize
plans to render support and assistance to society.
o Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS
CBN Foundation, Ayala Red Cross Foundation, Boy and Girl
Scouts of the Philippines and Caritas Manila.
o The human rights movement, on the other hand, is an example
of a social movement.

D. LOCAL AND GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVE

 This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of different

communities may involve themselves in various programs or activities.
 The community uses self-organization and encourages the local citizens
to contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions.
 Leaders and other members identify the sources of concerns in a local
setting and determine ways to address these problems.
 Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government decision-makers
who will be accountable for their actions.
 The community also formulates programs for others, and employs actions
according to the needs of the community.

LESSON 2: ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY

1. AWARENESS OF A COMMUNITY
 Awareness of the essential aspects of the community is necessary in
aiding the residents to reflect on ways to be positively involved in its
improvement. The poet John Donne famously said, "No man is an
island," referring to humanity's interconnectedness and the belief that
humans are and always will be social beings.
 Being aware of the structure of the community and exploring its aspects
will help the student understand the necessary measures that should be
undertaken to serve as an active member of a community. The table
below presents the different aspects of the community:

Aspects Factors to Explore

 Population size (total number of persons living in the
community).
 Density (ratio of people to the space they inhabit).
 Heterogeneity (the extent to which community.
members have diverse characteristics).
 Ethnic groups in the community.
Demographics
 Names given to various parts of the community.
 Areas known for having their own characteristics (ex:
industrial area, blue collar families).
 Isolation from or closeness to other communities.
 History of the area.
 Changes and development in the area.
Geography and  The community's physical environment.
 The community's location and proximity to highways,
 bodies of water, or mountains.
 Existence of recreational areas.
environmental influences  Concerns regarding environment hazards such as
pollution, power shortages, among others.
 Cultural values, traditions, and beliefs of various
segments of the population
Beliefs and Attitudes  Spiritual and political values of the residents
 Available social agencies and the help they can extend
 Perceptions of residents as part of the community
 Structure of government
Local Politics  Decision-making power and control
 Major issues currently in debate
 Businesses, factories and other sources of employment
that characterize the community
Local economy and  Nature of businesses (owned by local residents or
businesses government)
 Employment profile of residents
 Adequacy of public transportation
 Public assistance benefits available to residents
 Median income level of residents
Income distribution  Income levels and corresponding percentage of
population
 Housing conditions
 Population density
Housing  Types of housing Ownership status of houses (rental,
real estate, etc.)
 Education system
 Extent of community support
 Existence of public or private schools
 Adherence to intended curriculum of the Department of
Educational Facilities and Education.
 Attention to special population (e.g., children with
Programs special needs) and to cultural differences
 Extent to which education brings out the best in the
children (participation in competitions, profile of
graduates, training students holistically).
 Adequate preparation for adults to enter the labor force
Health and Welfare Systems  Adequate numbers of health professionals and
specialists
 Accessibility to area residents
  Social service programs
 Respect of service providers to the needs and values of
minority populations
 Availability of fire and police protection
 Safety of the environment
 The residents' view on public safety and justice system
 Presence of TV and radio stations and newspapers
which provide the people information and perspectives
on current events
 Community organizations' capacity to update residents
Sources of information and
on important information
public opinion  The capacity of the sources of information to enhance
the residents' skills to promote positive social change
 The presence of community leaders who speak for
various marginalized subgroups
 Overall assessment of community's functioning
 Dealing with social problems (youth gangs, poverty,
Summary Assessment of
abuse)
Community Issues  Gaps in social, health care, and other community and
educational services

2. DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES

A. COMMUNITY POWER

 It is the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and

seek ways to employ available resources to establish a stronger and
successful community.
 It is imperative to understand the nature of community power. The
determinants in understanding this include the members' knowledge of
who has the authority to make decisions, who controls/ influences the
flow of resources, who is not part of the decision-making process, how to
build community power from both within and outside of the community,
and the ability to develop inclusive and effective community programs.
 Civic Citizens’ voice in
involvement public
in identifying prioritization
important and decision
issues How a making
community
can build
Developing power Shared
structures or Leadership
systems for shared
power and decision Leadership
making development
planning

B. LEADERSHIP

 A leader is generally defined as the person who has the responsibility of

controlling or taking charge of a particular group. This important figure will
guide the members to carry out the plans in pursuit of the group's
objectives.
 The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans
and better implementation of programs. In the Philippines, the government
provides several levels of leadership, from the president and vice-president,
including other government officials at the national and local levels.
 Usually, leaders in a community are appointed based on qualifications,
attitude and most often, through the votes of the residents. This is a
democratic way to select a leader. In some traditional cultures, leadership is
hereditary, or passed down from parent to child. There are also people who
are appointed leaders because of their intelligence, wealth, reputation, high
status, decision-making skills, dictation from laws and policies and
connections. Globally, choosing leaders is crucial because they may
improve or worsen a nation's condition.
COMPONENTS IN IMPROVING LEADERSHIP IN A COMMUNITY

1. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
 An open line of communication is highly recommended for leaders and
their constituents.
 There should be free access to important information concerning social
issues and public matters.
2. DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL CAPITAL BUILDING
 Developing a resilient capital is among the most important contributors to
successful community leadership.
3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
 It is important to encourage young leaders to participate.
 Train younger generation of leaders so that they are ready to take over
when the time comes.
4. COLLABORATION
 It is necessary to collaborate across and within communities.
 Leaders should learn to build "bridges" and cooperate across
communities.
 Develop networks among community leaders within diverse fields.
C. RELATIONSHIP
 The success of a community will be more meaningful if its members have
harmonious relationships with each other. This is vital for members of both
geographical and non-geographical communities.
 In forming relationships, persons can give and receive support,
encouragement, praise and information. This can provide feelings of
belongingness and connectedness that most people seek in one way or
another regardless of one's belief system, cultural background or areas of
interest.
D. SOCIAL CHANGE
  Social change refers to changes that occur in the social order of a society.
These changes may be related to nature, social institutions, social behavior,
or social relations. Social change can be driven by cultural, religious,
economics, scientific, or technological forces.
 In Sociology, it is similarly defined as the collaboration of mechanisms within
the social structure characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of
behavior, social organizations, or value systems.

LESSON 3: TYPOLOGIES

In deepening one's understanding of the concept of community, it is necessary to be

aware of some of its typologies. The community is categorized into types that will help
the student realize one's contribution to the betterment of society. These types are
formal and informal communities; rural and urban communities; and local and global
communities.

1. FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNITIES

Formal Informal
The group is created as per official authority, to The group is formed according to the likes,
fulfill certain goals or objectives interests, and attitudes of the members.
The group possesses a systematic hierarchical The group has a loose structure, and the
structure members join to satisfy their social needs.
The position of a member defines his/her Every member is as important as any other
importance in the group. member.
There is a professional relationship among There is a personal relationship among members.
members
The flow of communication is restricted due to The flow of communication stretches in all
the chain of command. directions.
 2. RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES

A. RURAL

1. Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire
community, and they tend to live far apart from each other.
2. The area is situated geographically distant from larger urban areas
3. Each area typically specializes in a particular form of livelihood, such as farming.

B. URBAN COMMUNITIES

1. There is a higher population density, with more diverse subgroups (ethnic, racial,
cultural, age, sexual orientation)
2. Various industries and businesses are found in the area.
3. A large portion of the people live in rented apartments or homes.
4. Transportation is readily available, although this may be costly.
5. Urban areas are highly developed with many buildings and structures.
6. Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas.
7. The large population gives rise to close interactions among many people, as well
as more intense political involvement among citizens.

3. LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES

A. LOCAL COMMUNITIES

 A local community is also defined as a group of people sharing the same

environment and conditions such as intent, belief, resources, preferences, and
needs and risks.
 These factors may affect the identities of the individuals as well as the
community's degree of cohesiveness.
 In addition, a local community may consist of business operators, public agency
staff, and residents with interactions that may include sharing of resources,
information, and assistance.

B. GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
 The global community, on the other hand, is a system characterized by
integration and interaction between individuals and groups away from each other
in time or space or both.

4. SECTORS
Sector Inclusions
Medical and mental health professionals;
pharmacists and pharmacies; hospitals
Health and other in-patient facilities, clinics, non-
traditional health practitioners; public
health agencies and systems.
Public and private preschools, K-12
schools, colleges and universities school
committees, school administrators,
teachers, other educational institution
Education
employees; parents, students, state
boards of education; adult basic
education (ABE) and English as Second
or Other Language (ESOL) programs.
The local and state police, the court
system - judges, probation officers,
Law Enforcement prosecutors, court-appointed defense
lawyers, court-mandated programs for
offenders.
Regional, provincial, state, local, and
tribal government bureaucracies,
Government
agencies, and officials, both elected and
appointed.
From the self-employed carpenter to the
Business multinational corporation with a local
facility.
Youth themselves (generally viewed as
ages 18 and younger) and those who
work directly with them (youth violence
Youth prevention and outreach programs, Big
Brother/Big Sister, Boys' and Girls' Clubs,
scouting, etc.) parents, human service,
culture, and sports/recreation sectors.
The Media Newspapers and magazines, radio, and
 TV, vast array of blogs, videos, online
news, and other materials available on
the Internet.
Non-profit professional and volunteer
organizations that provide free or
affordable services such as job training,
Human Services food, shelter, elder services, services for
individuals with physical or mental
disabilities, support and advocacy for
immigrants, among others.
Places of worship and their members,
religious organizations (e.g., Knights of
Columbus, CBCP) of all faiths, may
Religion
include the hierarchy of a national church
as well (a Roman Catholic archbishop, for
instance).
The Lions, Masons, Rotary, Kiwanis, and
other local and national or international
Service/Fraternal Organization service organizations, college
fraternities/sororities or other local and
national social clubs, as well as veterans
organizations and the like.
Individuals for or against political issues,
supportive of existing institutions
("Friends of the local park, a school
playground volunteer corps), oriented
toward economics (groups that volunteer
Community Activist Volunteer Groups to help non-profit and small business
owners with financial and business
plans), or more generally concerned with
the quality of community life (e.g., block
associations, organizers of community
festivals).
Culture Artists such as musicians, dancers and
choreographers, writers, actors and
directors, designers and visual artists, as
well as arts organizations, theaters,
orchestras, museums, galleries, and
those who work as support staff in the
arts - stagehands, cameramen,
 electricians, set builders, etc; regular
consumers and supporters of the arts.
Both public and private non-profit housing
agencies and organizations that provide
rent subsidies and/or affordable housing,
as well as developers who build market-
Housing Development rate and upscale residential and
commercial properties may include
everyone from fair housing advocates to
those who own and/ or manage urban
real estate worth millions of pesos.
Sports clubs, town or county recreation
departments, amateur and professional
athletic associations, public and private
Sports and Recreation sports and recreation facilities, gyms,
coaches, personal trainers, recreation
leaders, and camp directors, as well as
those who participate in these groups as
athletes, spectators, or supporters.
Individual environmentalists, international,
national, and local environmental
organizations, conservation land trusts,
recreational hunters and fishermen, rock
climbers and mountaineers, wildlife
The Environment biologists and botanists, ecologists,
hikers, canoers/kayakers, and other
outdoor people, hydrologists (water
specialists), those who make a living from
a pristine or carefully-managed
environment.
Confined to rural areas, may also include
dairy farmers, cheesemakers,
Agriculture winemakers and vineyards, and food
processors and packers, includes all
consumers of the food produced.