Lesson 1

Learning About
Communities
 Learning About Communities
 Learning 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 individuals 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
realated to public affairs, consensus building, and the
dimensions of power vis-à-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. Example of these are
community work and social welfare,
policy and advocacy research, and
community program management.