ii

TITLE/ INTRODUCTION

Think about this…

Take time and look at the photo above. Is the common façade familiar to you?

Have you ever wandered around your own community? Have you ever thought

deeply and realized what is really happening?

The study of community entails us to understand our very own community life. It

gives us the idea on how to perceive reality by becoming involve in the day to day process

which is socialization. In the interaction process, people grasp the challenges of the

contemporary community life.

Using the imaginative yet rational ideals of social sciences, we sought to investigate

how socialization may impact the dynamics within the community – whether it has improved

or worsened the present condition. In this module, we are geared towards explaining the

importance of studying community dynamics and

1
community action using the social sciences perspectives by building framework in

dissevering basic information in the following concepts: in Lesson1, we will try to appreciate

the importance of one’s own community and community dynamics; and in Lesson 2, it

explains the concept of community action amid the changes.

Let us now get to know what community is!!

OBJECTIVES

Explain the importance of studying community dynamics and

community action in relation to applied social

sciences and the learner’s future career options.

Hi! in this lesson, we are guided by the following specific objectives:

Cite the importance of community dynamic.

Share significant community-based activities describing the community life.

Identify the importance of studying the community action.

Express ideas about the importance of studying community action.

The following are some words that shall be used in this discussion. Read and

understand the words carefully.

2
 The word community was derived from the Latin word
communis, which means “common” or “shared”.
Community

is any activity that aims to increase the understanding,

Community Action
engagement and empowerment of communities for the
intention of giving services to people.

The changes in the community brought about by social,

cultural and environmental experiences whether it is
Community Dynamics
positive or negative development that impacts within
the community.

enable the people to independently decide, plan- out

Empowerment and take action to control the situation they have in
the community.

Non-geographical It is a community formed based on needs, ideas,

Community interests, identity, practices, and roles in social
institutions.

It is a community where members share the same

Geographical Community
geographical vicinity such as a village, province or
neighborhood.

A community wherein a group is formed based on

Micro-level community
personal ties.

Social capital is a positive product of human interaction.

Social Capital
The network of relationships within particular society, to
function effectively.

PRE-TEST

Can you remember different activities in your locale? In each box, name at least 2

activities related to each structure.

3
 Economic:
1.
2.

Politics:
Social:
1.
Community 1.
2.
2.

Religious: Education:
1. 1.
2. 2.

Let’s ponder on and write:

1. Was there some difficulty in writing down activities in different structures?

Why do you think so?

_ __

_ _.

2. Were the activities diverse in each structure? Why? Why not?

_.

3. Can you describe your community based on the answers you have

provided above?

_.

4
LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Lesson 1: The Community We Live In!

What is Community and Why is there a Need in Studying this?

Individuals having significant interaction within a specified area becomes one of the

contributory factors in forming community. The word community was derived from the

Latin word communis which means “common” or “shared”. 1

It may share a certain sense of place whether it is geographical area or through a

virtual space. Geographical community is a community where members share the same

geographical vicinity such as a village, province or neighborhood. Non- geographical

community is a community formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity, practices, and

roles in social institutions such as at home, all work, in government, society, or the

community at large.2

Communication and relationships are imperative in building community. As people

communicate and interact, relationships foster. It develops pattern by which adopted in the

environment.

Communities may also be in two levels: Micro-level community, a group is

formed based on personal ties. This may include groups formed for pursuing common

interests or goals like forming a small organization to hold a fund-raising activity such as

concerts. At macro-level, large group affiliation is formed such as national communities,

international communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations may

develop various programs that would include different members across the country. They will

work on meeting certain objectives and expand on the aspect of community involvement.3

5
 Mores, values, and identity is a commonality that form culture. Hence, the interest

of social sciences focused in the study of communities. The following are the importance of

studying community:

1. It motivates people to work together – people feel a sense of community and

recognize the benefits of their involvement. 4(ec.europa.eu)

2. It encourages social, religious, or traditional obligations for mutual help.5

(ec.europa.eu)

3. People see a genuine opportunity to better their own lives and for the community. 6

(ec.europa.eu)

4. It understands policies promoting community participation that values social

capital.7 (dspace.nwu.ac.za)

5. Community participation could be understood as the direct involvement of

citizenry in the affairs of planning, governance, and overall development programs at

local or grassroot levels. 8(dspace.nwu.ac.za)

Understanding community life makes us value the things we have on a daily basis,

social encounter constructs reality and affects some changes within – this is

Community Dynamics.
Have you noticed some recent changes in your community?

The changes in the community are brought about by social, cultural and

environmental experiences whether it is positive or negative development that impacts

within the community. People adopt the changes and it has shaped their way of life.

6
PRACTICE TASK 1

Can you remember different activities in your community? Do these activities have

changed overtime? Post a picture in different structures that showed changes.

Economy

Politics
Social

Community

Religious Education

1. As social science student, do you think it is necessary to study community? Why do you

think so?

_ _.

2. Can the dynamics in the community affect the lives of the people? If yes, why?

How? If not, why not?

7
Lesson 2: Importance of Community Action!

Amid the corona virus scare in the whole country, there have been various

organizations who have continuously given their efforts to at least lessen the impact in

education. One of which is ERDA Foundation Inc., a non-governmental and non-profit

organization which has been in service for not less than 45 years dedicated

to helping the poor but deserving Filipino children have access to education. Read and

study the short text below.

#ErdaFrontliners #ERDAHeroes

Here are the ERDA Parent Leaders who are actively facilitating the Covid Pulse Ph

project of Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) 2030 and United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP) through Code-NGO.

Before this project, they and their Council of Leaders have already been important

partners of the ERDA Social Workers in the Education, Family and Community

Support Programs of the Foundation. During this very challenging global health

situation, we need to sustain their worthwhile activities and livelihood.

Photo taken and news clip from: https://www.facebook.com/erdafoundation

8
 Let’s ponder on and write:
1. Can the community facilitate action for their own community? What is your idea about

this? _

2. Is it possible that we consider individuals in the community as social capital?

Why? Why not? ___

What is Community Action?

Community Action is any activity that aims to increase the understanding,

engagement and empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people.

There are 3-key points in grasping the definition more meaningful:

 Understanding – raise an awareness about certain communal issues that needs to be

addressed. People develop the feeling of involvement once they truly comprehend the

situation within. They come together to support advocacies that will overcome

community needs and difficulties.

https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/iiimhTR_stop-bullying-cliparts-people-holding-hands-clipart-

 Engagement – Once issues are assessed properly and people in the community

understand the needs, they work collaboratively to act on it. The main goal of

engaging in the community is to improve the partnership and

9
 coalitions among the community. It is important that engagement occurs so that

members will be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they have created.

https ://ya-webdesign.com/explore/service-clipart-community-involvement/

 Empowerment – enable the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action

to control the situation they have in the community. This means, initiative and

decisions come from internal group organized for the benefit of everyone. It is also

necessary that the community can provide significant networks and linkages that will

genuinely serve the advocacies that they have built.

Hence, the study of community action is imperative in the field of social sciences and

other related disciplines as it lays on the foundation that individuals and families – as basic

unit, are embedded in different social structures that shape the behaviors in the system.

Having knowledge in community action makes an individual understand better by being

aware in the environment, have meaningful engagement and accept empowerment to create

significant impact.

PRACTICE TASK 2

Picto-Analysis: Examine the photo below and read the corresponding texts.

Analyze the current situation and express your ideas on how to understand, engage and

empower your own community amidst the challenges.

10
 Sorsogon under State of Calamity
The provincial government has placed Sorsogon under a state of calamity even if it has no
confirmed coronavirus case, as a proactive measure against the spread of the new virus.
Mavic Conde Published 3:23 PM, March 17, 2020 Updated 3:23 PM, March 17, 202, https://www.rappler.com/nation/254837-sorsogon-under-state-calamity

ALBAY, Philippines – The provincial government has placed Sorsogon under a state of

calamity even if it has no recorded case of the novel coronavirus disease COVID- 19 as of

Monday, March 16.

The provincial government passed Resolution no. 156 on March 16,

declaring the province in a state of calamity, as a proactive response to the localized

COVID-19 transmission in the country. This declaration acknowledged the

Sorsoganons' right to health and safety and to instill health consciousness among

them, especially the most vulnerable. According to the resolution, "at least 15% of the

forecasted affected population based on science-based projection are in need of

emergency assistance. Hence, more than 15 % of the total population is at risk

province-wide." Those most at risk are seniors, and people with diabetes, kidney

problems, heart diseases, and other pre-existing conditions.

Understand

.
Engage

.
Empower

11
PRACTICE TASK 3

“Individuals and families – as basic unit, are embedded in

different social structures that shape the behaviors in the system.”

1. Make a short essay and ponder on the statement above. Do you agree that individuals

and families shape the behavior in the social system? Why? Why not?

__

2. Is it necessary to study community action along the field in social science?

Why?

Modified TRUE or FALSE: Examine the underlined word

from the given statements below. Write T if the statement is True and F if the

statement is False. If false, write the correct word or words to make the statement

correct.

12
 1. One of the importance in studying the community is that the

people see an opportunity to understand the policies within and values cultural

capital.

2. The interaction taking place in the community is community

dynamics itself.

3. Changes in the community can be brought about by social,

cultural and historical experiences.

4. Geographical communities are formed based on needs,

ideas, interests and identity, practices and roles in social institutions.

5. Macro-level perspectives are focused on pursuing common

interests or goals like forming a small organization to hold an advocacy.

6. Empowerment is to raise awareness about certain communal

issues that needs to be addressed.

7. Community Action is any activity that aims to increase the

understanding, involvement and empowerment of communities for the intention of

giving services to people.

8. It is important to identify the different needs of the community

that should be addressed.

9. People in a community share something in common.

10. It is important that engagement occurs so that members will

be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they

13
14