Lesson 1: Introduction to Community
The word “community” is derived from Latin communitas (meaning the same),
which is in turn derived from communis, which means “common, public, shared by all or
many.”
The meaning of the term community can vary depending upon the context on how it
is being used. The central link in understanding community is by focusing on its people
(including their common ties and interaction), aside from regarding it as a place (Hillery,
1955).
1. Community as shared political territory and heritage (Location-based
Communities)
The community is viewed here as something that is situated within local
boundaries that is applied to the institutional and grassroots perspectives.
Examples of institutions: educational, military, government, health care
Examples of grassroots: sitios, villages, barangays
It must be noted, however, that local boundaries within the context of community are
dynamic because communities can exist within larger communities.
Examples:
Sitio Saudi, Brgy. Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga, Central Luzon
2. Community as a network of interpersonal ties based on common interest
(Organizationally based Communities)
Provides mutual support, as sense of identity, and sense of belongingness
for the members (Wellman 2001; Byrne 1999; Johnson, Heady and Jensen 2005).
Examples:
sporting community, business community, senior citizens’ community
The notion of community based as a network of interpersonal ties is often applied to civil
society organizations (CSOs) are built around the foundations of common interest in
addressing social problems.
Examples:
NGOs, trade unions, foundations
3. Community as profound sharing of spiritual and/or emotional connections
(Identity-based Communities)
Pertains to a sense of spiritual and/or emotional connection to others, or
communion with others based on an experience of a common problem, bond or a
, Examples:
Community of disaster survivors, people living with HIV, Christian/Muslim
community
Lesson 2: Community Perspectives
1. The Social Science Perspective
• Congregation of people unified by at least one common characteristics.
• Unified by at least one common characteristic.
2. The Community-based Perspective (Local and Grassroots Level)
• Community is seen as a setting for intervention, target for change, and
agent from the community-based perspective.
✓ As a setting for intervention- community is mainly defined
geographically
✓ As target for change- community denotes the goal of creating a
healthy environment facilitated by policy and community-wide
institutions and services
✓ As a resource- community is a good material for promotion as it has
a considerable degree of community ownership and participation
✓ As an agent- the focus is on “respecting and reinforcing the natural
adaptive, supportive, and developmental capabilities of
communities.
3. The Ecological Perspective
• A community is a congregation of species that occur together in time and
space and have high probability for interaction
• Behavior is perceived not only as a product of knowledge, values, and
attitudes of individuals but because of social influences involving the
family, social networks, organizations, and policy.
4. The Sectoral Perspective
• Communities are seen as a system which is comprised of individuals and sectors
with diverse characteristics and interrelationships Thomson, et al., 1990 as cited
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention—CDCP)
• The sectors are composed of groups of individuals embodying distinct roles and
interests with the community system.
5. The Civil Society Perspective
• A wide array of nongovernmental organizations and volunteer groups that are
fighting for solutions to social issues that continue to worsen the condition of the
disadvantaged sectors of society, especially the poor.
6. The Social Perspective
• The social and political networks that link individuals, community organizations,
and leaders.
The word “community” is derived from Latin communitas (meaning the same),
which is in turn derived from communis, which means “common, public, shared by all or
many.”
The meaning of the term community can vary depending upon the context on how it
is being used. The central link in understanding community is by focusing on its people
(including their common ties and interaction), aside from regarding it as a place (Hillery,
1955).
1. Community as shared political territory and heritage (Location-based
Communities)
The community is viewed here as something that is situated within local
boundaries that is applied to the institutional and grassroots perspectives.
Examples of institutions: educational, military, government, health care
Examples of grassroots: sitios, villages, barangays
It must be noted, however, that local boundaries within the context of community are
dynamic because communities can exist within larger communities.
Examples:
Sitio Saudi, Brgy. Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga, Central Luzon
2. Community as a network of interpersonal ties based on common interest
(Organizationally based Communities)
Provides mutual support, as sense of identity, and sense of belongingness
for the members (Wellman 2001; Byrne 1999; Johnson, Heady and Jensen 2005).
Examples:
sporting community, business community, senior citizens’ community
The notion of community based as a network of interpersonal ties is often applied to civil
society organizations (CSOs) are built around the foundations of common interest in
addressing social problems.
Examples:
NGOs, trade unions, foundations
3. Community as profound sharing of spiritual and/or emotional connections
(Identity-based Communities)
Pertains to a sense of spiritual and/or emotional connection to others, or
communion with others based on an experience of a common problem, bond or a
, Examples:
Community of disaster survivors, people living with HIV, Christian/Muslim
community
Lesson 2: Community Perspectives
1. The Social Science Perspective
• Congregation of people unified by at least one common characteristics.
• Unified by at least one common characteristic.
2. The Community-based Perspective (Local and Grassroots Level)
• Community is seen as a setting for intervention, target for change, and
agent from the community-based perspective.
✓ As a setting for intervention- community is mainly defined
geographically
✓ As target for change- community denotes the goal of creating a
healthy environment facilitated by policy and community-wide
institutions and services
✓ As a resource- community is a good material for promotion as it has
a considerable degree of community ownership and participation
✓ As an agent- the focus is on “respecting and reinforcing the natural
adaptive, supportive, and developmental capabilities of
communities.
3. The Ecological Perspective
• A community is a congregation of species that occur together in time and
space and have high probability for interaction
• Behavior is perceived not only as a product of knowledge, values, and
attitudes of individuals but because of social influences involving the
family, social networks, organizations, and policy.
4. The Sectoral Perspective
• Communities are seen as a system which is comprised of individuals and sectors
with diverse characteristics and interrelationships Thomson, et al., 1990 as cited
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention—CDCP)
• The sectors are composed of groups of individuals embodying distinct roles and
interests with the community system.
5. The Civil Society Perspective
• A wide array of nongovernmental organizations and volunteer groups that are
fighting for solutions to social issues that continue to worsen the condition of the
disadvantaged sectors of society, especially the poor.
6. The Social Perspective
• The social and political networks that link individuals, community organizations,
and leaders.
