Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Lesson 2.1 Community Structural Elements Contents Introduction 1 Learning Objective 2 Let’s Connect 2 Discover Socio-Political Structure Social Processes within the Community Political Processes within the Community Local Business Activities Community Members as Human Capital Cultural Structure 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 Wrap-Up 10 Try This! 11 Challenge Yourself 13 Reflect on This 15 Photo Credits 15 Bibliography 16 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Lesson 2.1 Community Structural Elements Introduction If you were to go around your barangay and observe the activities occurring within it on a daily basis, what types of activities would you observe? There are many answers to that question. All barangays and their residents partake in various activities that encompass social, cultural, economic, and political transactions. This means that a barangay, as well as any type of community, has many parts. These parts serve different functions to maintain organization and social order. The community can be perceived as a complex and dynamic group of people that independently serve socio-political, cultural, and economic structures within a particular locality. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 1 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies The dynamism of the community is observed in our many day-to-day activities. For example, we always purchase food products or snacks from our local sari-sari store, while some people in our neighborhood visit the barangay hall to request documents or certifications. Meanwhile, during annual celebrations such as Christmas or fiestas, we usually see our local neighborhood decorated with bright lights, banners, or lanterns. These seemingly simple activities that occur within our communities direct us to understand that our community consists of important structures and elements. Prior to delving deeper into the specific elements and typologies comprising a community, it is essential to understand the community as a multitude of different structures. In this lesson, you will explore and understand the community as a socio-political structure, an economic structure, and a cultural structure. Learning Objective In this lesson, you should be able to synthesize the integrative experience of implementing community action initiatives DepEd Learning Competency At the end of this lesson, you should be able to analyze functions of communities in terms of structures, dynamics, and processes (HUMSS_CSC 12-IIIa-c-5). by applying social science ideas and methods. Let’s Connect Think-Pair-Share 10 minutes This activity aims to introduce students to the various activities occurring within communities. Through an exploration of two different communities, discussed by a pair of students, practical examples and real-life experiences could be linked to the lesson. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 2 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Instructions 1. Choose a partner. Ensure that your partner lives in a community, barangay, or city that is different from yours. 2. Share common activities that you usually observe within your community. Allow each of you to share significant experiences and activities within your community. 3. Identify common themes and salient differences from all information shared. With your partner, create a Venn diagram that visually showcases your analysis of you and your partner’s experiences. 4. Use the guide questions below to reflect on the results of your analysis. Guide Questions 1. How does your community differ from your partner’s? What do both of your communities have in common? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.1. Community Structural Elements 3 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies 2. Based on your analysis, what activities are present within communities? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What purposes do these activities serve in the daily lives of their members? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." With this definition, a community can be perceived as a complex structure that is not solely defined by a particular location. The same definition also places the community as a dynamic entity, encompassing various processes that enable community members to interact with one another, seek solutions to their problems, and participate in numerous social activities. Fig. 1. An example of a local Filipino community activity 2.1. Community Structural Elements 4 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Because of the many processes occurring among and within communities, they can be understood through different lenses. Communities have internal structures that allow them to function holistically and survive for long periods of time. Each of these structures attempts to generate activities that help achieve community goals and facilitate social action. From a macro-level perspective, a community may cease to exist should any one of these structures diminish in function and capacity. At the same time, as all community activities are functionally interdependent, changes in one structure may also affect the other. How does social participation play a role in establishing the socio-political, economic, and cultural structures of a community? Socio-Political Structure A community’s socio-political structure refers to the social and political processes occurring within a certain locality or among a particular group of people. It is essential to understand that one of the primary characteristics of communities is the establishment of an organized way of life. Communities are built on laws, norms, social activities, and culture by which all members are expected to abide. The socio-political structure of a community ensures that members realize these established standards and expectations. Through a variety of social and political activities, a community can promote itself as a socio-political structure. Social Processes within the Community There are hundreds of social processes within the community, and these processes are all facilitated through socialization. Socialization is a process that enables an individual to understand and learn the values, norms, culture, and behaviors of a particular community. Socialization turns you into a member of the community. For example, socialization occurs when your local barangay leader encourages each household to clean their backyard. In this example, your barangay leader encourages and teaches community members to value or 2.1. Community Structural Elements 5 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies give importance to clean surroundings. It is sometimes referred to as a “birth-to-death” process because individuals never stop immersing within and building themselves from their external environments, from the moment they are born until they face death. Your social environment or community is constantly teaching you about how to behave, what to believe in, and what to value from childhood until old age. Table 1. Examples of common social processes and activities within the community Community Social Processes Social Interaction Examples ● Neighbors talking to each other on current issues about the community Social Action ● Purchasing snacks from a local convenience store ● Children playing with each other ● The phenomenon of bayanihan ● Volunteering in local community activities and programs ● Engaging in advocacy initiatives within the locality or neighborhood Through socialization, all community members learn to value and join in many social processes, including social interaction and social action. These social processes and activities are considered common elements of the community and are reflected in any type of community in existence today. Political Processes within the Community Communities are also built upon political processes that help build the social organization and social order. In the Philippine setting, the practice of building a political structure within the community has been recorded since pre-colonial times. While more modern political models exist in communities today, many principles utilized in the past are still applied at present. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 6 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies One example of a political structure is the modern barangay, the smallest political entity in the country. Similar to positions in the national government, barangays are also led by a leader and the executive body, all of whom are installed in office via popular vote or elections. The community members’ capacity to choose which candidate to elect within the community also showcases the organized political climate occurring even among localities. In addition, day-to-day activities and transactions that transpire between community officials and community members can also be considered characteristics of a community’s political structure. Examples of this include acquiring barangay certificates or seeking health and educational support from local community programs (e.g., vaccinations and scholarships). Economic Structure Any community needs to foster local economic growth to sustain its existing and future programs, facilitate community development, and generate economic opportunities for community members. As an economic structure, the community ensures that these activities are continuously adapted and immersed in more opportunities for expanding its economic reach. Local Business Activities With many communities worldwide adapting to globalization and the digital era, businesses are also starting to expand toward more specific market segments. At the same time, many individuals nowadays are engaging in many forms of businesses that make the community even more economically varied. The prevalence of these new modes of selling has allowed new community initiatives to emerge, offering profitable economic solutions that benefit both the community and its members. Table 2. Examples of common business activities within the community Business Activity Examples Small and Medium ● Sari-sari stores; local consumer goods stores Enterprises (SMEs) ● Small town lotteries ● Small local service providers (local salons, local restaurants) 2.1. Community Structural Elements 7 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Cooperatives Large Scale ● Agricultural cooperatives ● Retail cooperatives ● Housing cooperatives ● Credit unions ● Major business establishments (malls, fast-food chains, Enterprises convenience store chains) ● Major service providers (major banks, couriers) Community Members as Human Capital The community as an economic structure also places employable community members as human capital. With the establishment of many economic endeavors within the community, members are also exposed to business opportunities and employment. Strategically, a well-balanced economy should characterize high employment rates and a consistent balance between production and consumption. A community that is continuously able to provide such economic opportunity to its members is assured of long-term sustainability. Check Your Progress What economic activities are currently occurring within your local community? List down three to five examples. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Cultural Structure The community is also characterized by a unique cultural structure shaped by history, social interaction, human activities, religion and spirituality, and even natural events (e.g., natural disasters). Community members are linked together by a shared sense of culture translated through day-to-day activities, local celebrations and events, community practices, and material culture. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 8 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies As an example, refer to the cultural characteristics associated with various communities in the Philippines. People from Iloilo are generalized as malambing (affectionate), residents from Cavite are believed to be matapang (brave), and locals from Ilocos are deemed matipid (thrifty). Meanwhile, one may also associate different festivals with certain localities within the country. For example, hearing about the Sinulog Festival makes one think of Cebu, while the Panagbenga Festival may automatically make one think about Baguio. These associations of cultural activities attest that culture is highly valued among communities, and each community exercises a culture that showcases its uniqueness. In Philippine Context Major community developers in the Philippines are currently adapting the concept of mixed-use developments or urban sanctuaries all throughout the country. This type of project includes creating residential communities developed around commercial establishments and integrated with some urban parks or oases. An example of this community is Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City. At present, central Fort Bonifacio stands as one of the Philippines’ major financial hubs and lifestyle districts. More than the towering buildings housing private offices are rows of hotels, dormitories, and condominiums that boast of Metro Manila’s distinct skyline. Scattered around the community are grocery stores, parks, schools, retail stores, and restaurants that cater not just to Fort Bonifacio residents but also to local and foreign visitors. Examining Fort Bonifacio, there are unique socio-political, cultural, and economic structures that are evident within the community: 1. This community of around 12,000 residents (as of 2015) regularly organizes events themed around various activities, including art, education, business, community engagement, advocacy opportunities, and outreach programs. 2. In recent years, Fort Bonifacio has continued to perform well economically due to the continuous development of large-scale projects. This translates to more business and employment opportunities within the area. 3. Fort Bonifacio is well-known for housing the country’s elite and wealthy. As such, specialized stores (e.g., luxury services), establishments (e.g., high-end 2.1. Community Structural Elements 9 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies boutiques), and activities (e.g., premium gym memberships) seem to thrive in this community better than in any other location. These specific characteristics may be unique to Fort Bonifacio, but the structures embedded within this community also exist in other communities throughout the country. Wrap-Up _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ● All communities are characterized by socio-political, economic, and cultural structures. ● The socio-political structure of a community is facilitated primarily through socialization, the process of learning the values, culture, and norms of a particular community. ● The economic structure of a community allows it to gain sustainability and the capacity to meet its goals or objectives in the long run. ● The cultural structure of a community is brought about by the unique integration of a community’s history, characteristics, people, and beliefs. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2.1. Community Structural Elements 10 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Try This! A. Short-Answer Response (Identification). Identify the structure being described in each statement. Choose the correct word from the box and write the correct answer on the blank before each number. socio-political ________________ economic cultural 1. establishment of a credit union exclusively for community members ________________ 2. annual fiesta celebrating the anniversary of the local church ________________ 3. barangay elections every three years ________________ 4. volunteering at the community’s quarterly donation drive ________________ 5. paying real property taxes to the city treasurer’s office ________________ 6. availing mental health support services from the community social welfare desk ________________ 7. starting a milk tea business within the locality ________________ 8. annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony beginning September 1 ________________ 9. organizing basketball leagues among young community members ________________ 10. filing for bankruptcy due to the pandemic 2.1. Community Structural Elements 11 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies B. Short Response Essay. Answer the following questions briefly and coherently. 1. Why is a community composed of different structures? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Why is it important for an individual to socialize into a particular community? ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What happens when a community fails to exercise its economic capacity? _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What forms of material culture could be used to influence a community’s cultural structure? _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Why is socialization deemed as a “birth-to-death” process? _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 2.1. Community Structural Elements 12 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Challenge Yourself Short-Response Essay. Answer the following questions briefly and coherently. 1. Determine the socio-political, economic, and cultural activities that occur within your community. Write at least three specific examples for each component. 2. Research on the interrelationship among socio-political, economic, and cultural structures of a community. Create a diagram showcasing this relationship and write a brief explanation in the space provided below. _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 2.1. Community Structural Elements 13 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Suggested Rubric for Grading The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify the rubric based on your needs. Consult your teacher for the final rubric. Performance Levels Criteria 1 2 3 Suggested Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight Proficiency Content Clarity Score Proficiency The answers do not Most of the answers All of the answers reflect correct reflect accurate reflect accurate understanding and understanding and understanding and application of the application of the application of the lesson. lesson. lesson. The ideas are not The ideas are The ideas are communicated understandable and perfectly and clearly. somewhat clear. clearly ×3 ×2 communicated. Organization It is difficult to follow The thought process The thought process the thought process. can be followed but has a logical and with little difficulty. easy flow. Total Possible Score 2.1. Community Structural Elements ×1 18 14 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Reflect on This Short-Response Essay. Write a short essay that expresses your insights on the given questions. Choose only one item. 1. What local activities do you partake in that allow you to experience your community’s diverse structures? Explain your answer. _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What do you feel about significantly changing specific community structures? Provide arguments to support your answer. _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Photo Credits Team by Henning Westerkamp by vaight mcright is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via pixabay. Teachers, parents, barangay officials, employees of different government agencies, local government unit and other stakeholders participate in cleaning the campus, painting of classrooms and tree planting during Brigada Eskwela. by Philippine Information Agency Misamis Oriental is public domain via Philippine Information Agency. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 15 Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies Bibliography Collier, Mary Jane. Community Engagement and Intercultural Praxis. New York: Peter Lang, 2014. Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum, and Deborah S. Carr. Introduction to Sociology. New York: Norton, 1991. Gunaratna, Rohan, Jolene Jerard, and Salim Mohamed Nasir. Countering Extremism: Building Social Resilience through Community Engagement. Vol. 1. London: World Scientific, 2013. Smelser, Neil J. The Sociology of Economic Life. New Orleans: Quid Pro Books, 2013. Watson, David. Managing Civic and Community Engagement. England: McGraw-Hill Education (UK), 2007. 2.1. Community Structural Elements 16