Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION VII - CENTRAL VISAYAS
Schools Division of Cebu Province
District of ARGAO 1
ARGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Canbanua, Argao, cebu
___________________________________________

TEACHER-MADE LEARNER’S HOME TASK IN

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY AND CITIZENSHIP (CSC)

MODULE II: COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

Time frame: 1 week
MELC: define using various perspectives, e.g., social sciences, institutions, civil society, and local/grassroots level
K-12 CG Code: HUMSS_CSC12-IIa-c-2
VOCABULARY
 Perspective - a mental view or prospect; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance
 Social Science - the branch of science devoted to the study of societies and the relationships among individuals within
those societies
 Institution - a society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose.
 Social Institution - a group of people assigned to perform a definite task and function in a social system.
 Civil Society - refers to the political community of organized group operating within the authoritative parameters of the
state. It is an aggregate of active groups and associations such as business, interest groups and clubs. It has been
referred to as the third sector distinctive from the state (government) and the market (businesses).
 Grassroot - the most basic level of an activity or organization; ordinary people regarded as the main body of an
organization's membership
DISCUSSION: Community in Different Perspectives

A community as a concept is not solid and has different parts and is therefore seen from various viewpoints. The
varying viewpoints come as a result of the distinctive perspectives of the different academic disciplines and sectors. It is then
important to be acquainted with the different perspectives of a community in order to appreciate why certain things are seen and
done differently when it comes to community interventions. The different community perspectives include Social Science,
Institutional, Civil Society and Local/Grassroots Level. Below are the brief discussions of each perspective.

1. Social Science Perspective

From the point of view of Social Science, a community is a group of people whose connections and relations are
formed by their shared history, experiences, geographies, and identities. Generally, there is a common pattern of
behavior. The course of embracing the behavior patterns of a community is called socialization. To put it simply, man
through socialization develops a community.
A German sociologist, Ferdinand Tonnies (as cited by Safar and Madhi, 2012) noted two types of human
associations: Gemeinschaft, called “community’, and Gesellschaft, known as “society” or “association.”
Gemeinschaft is a community with a tighter and more cohesive social entity brought about by “unity of will.” Gesellschaft
is a group where individuals participate as members driven solely by self-interest. It has been argued that the real
community manifests a combination of these two patterns of behavior.
2. Institutional Perspective
Institutions are the core establishments that bind people toward a specific advocacy or goal. They are grand
social structures that are made up by individuals which, when viewed as a whole, exhibit patterns of behavior that
create conventions and norms in our society.
There are five core institutions that are pillars of our society:
a. Government Institutions
As an institution, it grants its citizens liberties and rights. In essence, the government has the power to lead and
govern its citizens within a confined territory and can create sweeping policies and laws.
b. Economic Institutions
Economists see institutions as the mechanism in which goods, services, and money are distributed. In
economics, goods are scarce and considered to be finite. Therefore, we have to look into specific actors’ needs and
wants relative to the availability of a specific good or service being sought for.
c. Religious Institutions
Religion is one of the pillars from which our civilization is built. Today’s society emphasizes the importance of
religion as a communal experience; meaning, activities are still tied to the concepts and teachings of their faith.
Religious institutions are here to be a constant reminder that values and mores are grounded on spiritually.
d. Educational Institutions
The task of the school system is to arm us with the needed skills and knowledge in relation to the demand of the
environment. The knowledge, skills, and values we acquire are tools to chart our future.
e. Family Institutions
Families are considered as the building blocks of our society. At the center of every society is the family, and it is
where the community and our society draw strength from.
3. Civil Society Perspective
Civil Society (CS) is generally defined as 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. Given this perspective, the CS views the community as composed of people, structures
and systems endowed with resources but is confronted with social issues as well. The CS wants that those who are
affected by social problems must organize and band together to pursue and advocate for social change.
Kinds of Civil Society Organizations
a. Non-Government Organizations – the Philippine National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) describes
NGOs as private, non-profit, volunteer organizations that are committed to the task of what is broadly termed
development.
b. People’s Organizations – POs are independent, autonomous entities, officially registered and acknowledged as
organizations according to rules and standards set by the state. Significant features of PO is that it claims to
represent impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized communities.
 c. Social Movements – a form of collective behavior which springs largely from the attitudes and aspirations of its
participants. Social Movements confront with specific power structures and pursuit socioeconomic and political
change.
4. Local/Grassroot Perspective
The Local and Grassroots Level, also referred to as Community-Based Perspective, sees the community as a
setting for intervention, target for change, resource and agent as cited by McLeroy (2003) and as established in the
studies reviewed by Merzel and D’Afflitti. This perspective, according to McLeroy, et al. (2003), requires vigilance in
assessing community structures and processes before any community interventions. The situation entails a thorough
understanding of the community in order to determine appropriate and strong solutions. Further, the goal of cultural
programs and activities in the grassroot level is to enrich the cultural life of rural communities.

They are referred to as “grassroots” because of their local and capacity-building characteristics. It is generally
conceptualized as the formation of neighborhood organizations, rural or urban, convened to pursue local development
goals or address particular issues.

Three Notions of Community

1. Community as shared political and territory and heritage
A traditional understanding of community refers to a group of people living in the same geographical area
where interpersonal ties are locally bounded and are based on a shared government and a common cultural and
historical heritage. Since the community is viewed as something that is situated within local boundaries, this notion of
community is applied to the institutional and grassroots perspective. Example: Education, military, government,
healthcare
2. Community as a network of interpersonal ties based on common interest.
Another notion of community refers to a network of interpersonal ties that are based around a common interest.
These ties, in return, provide mutual support, a sense of identity, and a sense of belongingness for the members.
Example: Sporting community, LGBT community, virtual community/netizens
3. Community as profound sharing of spiritual and/or emotional connection
Community also pertains to a sense of spiritual and/or emotional connection to others, or communion with
others on the basis of an experience of a common problem, bond, or a situated cognition. Example: Disaster survivors,
People living with HIV, Christian Community
References:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pdf/PCE_Report_Chapter_1_SHEF.pdf
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspective
https://www.who.int/social_determinants/themes/civilsociety/en/#:~:text=Civil%20society%20includes%20charities%2C%20development,movements%2C%20coalitions%20and%20advocacy%20groups.

Abenir, M. (2017) Community Engagement, Solidarity, and Citizenship. Makati City: Diwa Learning System Inc.

Prepared by: ANDREA MARISSA P. RABUYA (Subject Teacher)

Verified by: CRESENTE J. PIÑOL (Principal I)