Concepts and Perspectives of Community

In the early 1980s, locals in a remote fishing village along the coast of Apo Island in the
Philippines observed that their fish catch was rapidly dwindling at an alarming rate. They found out
that, for years, some fishermen were using dynamite and cyanide fishing methods, resulting to the
destruction of corals and marine life. Confronted with this crisis, villagers and fisherfolk came
together and collectively decided to prohibit dynamite and cyanide fishing. They also established a
marine sanctuary, ensuring the protection and preservation of the local marine life in the area.
Since then, community life improved. Through their initiative to protect their environment, villagers
were also able to expand their source of livelihood through adding handicraft production and eco-
tourism. More so, it is because of their collective action that Apo Island has become a source of
local pride, serving as a model for coastal communities. Apo island is one of the oldest marine
reserves in the Philippines.

Inspirational stories about community and community action like that of the Apo Island
fishing village illustrate the significance of the community as an indispensable part of everyday life.

Learn more about communities and how it impacts our individual lives in this module.
LESSON ONE

Learning About Communities

Learning About Communities earning about communities is key to appreciating our daily
interactions with others, as we locate ourselves in a web of social connections. Being enmeshed in
these connections constantly help us realize that we are part of a larger social group. We associate
with social groups for many different reasons. Knowing the range of reasons why people come
together, why they form relationships and bonds, and how these operate in the broader social
setting makes us further appreciate the value of the meaningful actions and contributions that we
impart to our community. Moreover, understanding the dynamics within our community aids us in
responding to the collective challenges we face. Addressing these challenges through community
initiatives and interventions requires a familiarity of the community people, history, and issues.

Different disciplines in the social sciences are devoted to deepen our understanding of
communities, community life, and community action. The social sciences - anthropology, social
psychology, sociology, political science, public administration, human geography. linguistics,
and development studies-contribute in developing a rich and robust literature on community
studies. It is filled with an array of approaches, conceptualizations, theories, and problem-solving
methods that help people learn, understand. and improve community life. Sociology, for instance,
generally looks into group formations, relationships, dynamics and interaction within a social
structure, and social action. Perspectives and approaches in sociology draw attention to a host of
analytical tools and methods which may help community members respond to the issues and
problems they encounter in the broader context of their institutional, social, and cultural
environments.

Political science, on the other hand, focuses on power relations, authority, leadership, and
decision making. The study of politics incorporates approaches that allow the examination of the
interplay of power between and among different actors within and outside of communities. Political
science aids in understanding, for instance, the factors that affect how local government units
interact with individual members and groups in a community. Political science also lends insight on
how individuals and groups create, shape, or change rules. Political science draws attention to
issues and problems related to public affairs, consensus building, and the dimensions of power vis-
a-vis the allocation and distribution of resources and values.
 In a different but related light, Anthropology helps examine the emergent complexities
from the history and culture of individuals and communities. Anthropology is concerned, for
example, with how community knowledge and practices contribute in addressing issues and
solving community problems. Careers related to community studies have emerged from the fields
and focus areas of the various social science disciplines. These careers are mostly inter- or multi-
disciplinary in orientation, thematically converging in the examination of and advocacy for
communities. Examples of these are community work and social welfare, policy and advocacy
research, and community program management.

Anthropology - is a social science discipline that examines human societies. Anthropology

specifically looks into the origins, physical and cultural development, biological and ecological
characteristics, and the culture, values, and social Customs of communities.

Social Psychology - refers to the branch of psychology that scientifically studies social
behavior, especially the interaction and influence of individuals and groups on each other Sociology
- a social science discipline that studies the structures, developments, and functioning of human
society.

Sociology looks into social relations, organizations, institutions, and societal segments and
groups.

Political Science-refers to the study of the activities related to the art of governing, the
management of public affairs, and/or the creation, preservation, and amendment of the general
rules which operate in communities and societies. Political science also examines the
interrelationships and dynamics of power within, across, and between entities in the public and
private spheres.

LESSON TWO

Defining Community

How do communities emerge? What makes an individual a member of a com munity?

Before we answer these questions, it is necessary that we discuss the concept of community.

The word community, considered as a Late Middle English term, is derived from the Latin
word communitas which means "fellowship." Its Latin roots, communis, means "common." Com
translates to "with" or "together; where as munire translates to "to strengthen," "to fortify," or "to
defend."
 There are various perspectives of community. Each perspective emphasizes a par ticular
approach and treatment in the study of communities. In the next section, four perspectives will be
discussed: the social sciences perspective, institutional perspective, civil society perspective, and
organic perspective.

SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE

A social science perspective toward understanding communities is premised on the social
dimension of individual life -the interactions, relationships, and bonds formed by individuals with
other individuals and how these are manifested in the formation of organizations within
communities. Learning about communities using this perspective essentially incorporates ideas
and concepts gathered from fields of knowledge, such as anthropology, social psychology,
sociology, and political science, to name a few. These disciplines offer varied insights and
lessons in understanding the meaning and relevance of community. Greek thinkers like Plato have
conceptualized the ideal (political) community, referred to as the polis (city-state), to be composed
of various classes, each performing roles and functions in pursuit of communal goals. Alongside
Pato's idea of a political community, Aristotle emphasized the role of political institutions in
maintaining and sustaining order within a community. From these, ideas and conceptualizations of
community have evolved through the historical junctures of western civilization.

The study of communities using a social science perspective goes beyond knowledge of
the origins and history of communities. A social science perspective can be employed to learn how
a community deals with problems and crises. Take the case of disaster- afected communities. A
sociological lens may be used to gather valuable insights about how members of a community
work as a collective in order to address the effects of a disaster to life and livelihood. Political
science draws attention to the interactive political processes between societal forces and
government agencies in preparing and responding to disasters. Through the close study of the
attributes and values of communities, anthropology can offer insights on how disaster
management agencies can effectively communicate disaster preparedness and response
strategies to community members.

Activity
Try to come up with your own definition of the word "community" using 15 Words or less.