Community

Engagement,
Solidarity and
Citizenship

2
Think about this…
 is a social unit
that shares something in common.
This means that, is an
important factor in community
dynamics. As people interact, they
start to build that make
them share patterns of behavior,
culture, norms and mores. Thus,
is also formed.
Vocabulary List:

• Social Capital - It is defined as the networks of

relationship among people who live and work in
a particular society for the effective functioning
of the community.

• Communitarianism - It explains the connection

between the individual and the community.
Vocabulary List:

• Self-Organization - The process can be

spontaneous when sufficient energy is available,
not needing control by any external agent.
• Volunteerism - It is about people’s need to
participate in their group or organization to
benefit the community in various activities or
action.
Choose three from the pictures and
associate it to the field that you think it is
relate.

The Role of
Social Sciences
in the Community
Setting

?
Definition of Community Across
Different Perspectives

The Social Science Perspective

“ ” is an umbrella term for various

fields of study which examines social relations and human
society. It views the community as composed of people
interacting with one another, sensitive to each other’s
emotions and subjective point of view. Basically, it
describes “community as a group of people in a particular
area interacting together.”
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

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 condition ., end eventually
solving the community concern.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

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.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

Political Science - The field encompasses the

various ways and means of allocating power,
influence, 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 recognized
leaders. All communities have some forms of
political system.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

Psychology - This discipline studies the human mind,

brain, and social behavior. This extends to interaction
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.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

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 relationship 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’s part of human nature to relate
with other people in various conditions or situations.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

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. Examples include people’s
organization, civic organization, and social movements.
The following are disciplines in social sciences that
related to the idea of community:

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.

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. The human
right movement, on the other hand, is an example of social
movement.
https://www.google.com/search?q=caritas+manila+donation+for+covid&tbm=isch&hl=en-
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Local and Grassroots Perspectives

This perspective highlights volunteerism.

Members of 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.
 A concrete example of this is when doctors and
dentists in different communities come together to
organize medical and dental missions especially for families
affected by calamities. The youth who are full of spirit and
energy are of ten excited to engage themselves in outdoor
activities. Immersing themselves in farming and fishing
and taking part in the planting of trees and crops will serve
a meaningful experience for them.
PRACTICE
TASK 1:

Fill-up the table below. Write

the discipline in social
sciences, its definition and
its role in the study of
community.
 The institutional perspective views the community in three
different dimensions. Study the diagram below:

First Dimension - It is an existing establishment or physical

space where members of the community go for a certain

Institutional purpose.

Perspective Second Dimension – It is the institutional community as a

social model. This is defined by networks and institutions where
community group are formed in certain areas such as schools,
churches or companies.

Third Dimension - Community is composed of the ways

people act, interact with each other, react, and expect each
other to act and interact.
PRACTICE TASK 2

Answer the following questions in a 1 whole sheet of paper.

❑ What is the institutional perspective?

❑ Is it an important perspective in studying the community?

Why? Why not?

❑ How do you think each dimension relates to each other?

❑ In the second dimension, it is considered as the social model.

What do you understand in this dimension?

❑ Cite an existing present situation wherein the social model is

evident. Explain.
PRACTICE
TASK 3

Have you ever tried

volunteering yourself
for humanitarian
reasons? How was your
experience? If not,
would you want to be
part of this endeavor?
Why? Why not?