Unit 2: Community Elements and Typologies

Lesson 2.1
Community Structural Elements

Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objective 2

Let’s Connect 2

Discover 4
Socio-Political Structure 5
Social Processes within the Community 5
Political Processes within the Community 6
Local Business Activities 7
Community Members as Human Capital 8
Cultural Structure 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.

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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 DepEd Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to
In this lesson, you should be able to analyze functions of communities in terms of
synthesize the integrative experience of structures, dynamics, and processes (HUMSS_CSC
12-IIIa-c-5).
implementing community action initiatives
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.

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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?
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2. Based on your analysis, what activities are present within communities?

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3. What purposes do these activities serve in the daily lives of their members?

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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

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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

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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 Examples

Social Interaction ● Neighbors talking to each other on current issues

about the community
● Purchasing snacks from a local convenience store
● Children playing with each other

Social Action ● 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.

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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)

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Cooperatives ● Agricultural cooperatives

● Retail cooperatives
● Housing cooperatives
● Credit unions

Large Scale ● 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.
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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.

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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

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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
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● 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.

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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

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B. Short Response Essay. Answer the following questions briefly and coherently.

1. Why is a community composed of different structures?

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2. Why is it important for an individual to socialize into a particular community?

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3. What happens when a community fails to exercise its economic capacity?

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4. What forms of material culture could be used to influence a community’s cultural

structure?
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5. Why is socialization deemed as a “birth-to-death” process?

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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.

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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

1 2 3 Suggested
Criteria Score
Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight
Proficiency Proficiency

Content The answers do not Most of the answers All of the answers
reflect correct reflect accurate reflect accurate
understanding and understanding and understanding and ×3
application of the application of the application of the
lesson. lesson. lesson.

Clarity The ideas are not The ideas are The ideas are
communicated understandable and perfectly and
×2
clearly. somewhat clear. clearly
communicated.

Organization It is difficult to follow The thought process The thought process

the thought process. can be followed but has a logical and ×1
with little difficulty. easy flow.

Total Possible Score 18

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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.
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2. What do you feel about significantly changing specific community structures?

Provide arguments to support your answer.
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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.

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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.

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