Three ass for Service and Community

Course Perspective

Course Perspective (always under construction)

This course is driven by the concept of service learning, that is, classroom instruction and activities coupled with an experiential or "hands on" educational component in the field. This course is interdisciplinary and developed around knowledge and concepts from Social Systems and Behavioral Systems. Specifically, the course is designed to integrate the idea of interrelated and interdependent relationships that exist between individuals and their environments. The central focus is on the ways in which community entities ( the variety of social organizations such as families, agencies, churches, businesses, etc.) interact through employment, membership, provision of services, etc. One of the course purposes is to promote increased understanding of the troubles individuals, families, communities, and society experiences and to find ways that a single individual can help remedy those troubles through community service. To assist in developing that understanding the course perspective focuses on the human experience and how humans beings are interdependently interconnected to the environment and to others who occupy the environmental space. The nature of interconnected, interrelated, and interdependent relationships between humans and their environments is explored suggesting that a person's transactions with the various community entities (other people, families, businesses, schools, service and governmental agencies, etc.,) is part of the cause and the solutions to personal issues that may become social problems and vice versa and how these interactions shape individuals, families, organizations, and ultimately, the community.

The entities (persons, families, agencies, businesses, etc.) within a community environment are an essential component in the ecology of living systems that are constantly interacting. Life in a community is carried out through both direct and indirect exchanges that influence both the person and the environment. These dynamic interactions, or transactions, between people and their environments affect the development of individuals, families and groups, affect citizen involvement, impact communities, and relate to community social problems. It is the nature and quality of these transactions that affect the quality of life of people and, because of the interrelated nature of entities, the quality of the community itself.

Reciprocity, Mutual Interdependence, (Inter)connectedness, (Inter)relatedness, and Transactions are five concepts from Systems and Ecological theories that help explain the reasons for and the outcomes of the activities of living. All have at least two dimensions: the individual to individual dimension and the individual/community dimension.

For example, taking a larger view of Reciprocity, the provision of community resources such as schools, recreation facilities, medical facilities, employment, social opportunities, and agencies for assistance and support etc., foster growth and well being among individual citizens. In return for providing such community resources citizens and families develop strength, capability, and creativity as they are supported by these resources and they strengthen communities through citizen health, contributions of financial and human resources, commitment, loyalty, involvement, and responsible citizenship. The same thinking can apply to the individual to individual dimension as persons reciprocally exchange with each other meaningful "commodities of life and living" that enhance the quality of life of each.

The concept of (Inter)relatedness suggests that the behavior of the parts of any system (such as indivuduals in a family, for example) have a direct effect upon all other parts (individuals, etc.) of that system, as well as the system as a whole. So the behavior of one person in a system can, and does, affect the others in the system as well as the system itself. So, when one part of a system is affected, the entire system is effected in a variety of meaningful ways. Because community entities are so Interrelated, what effects one part of the community affects all the community in some way or another. Hence, individual troubles become community troubles and vice versa.

The concept of (Inter)connectedness refers to the things that exist in life that link people, cultures, groups, families, and nations together in meaningful ways. First, we are all connected because of the commonality of being human beings. We have the same needs, wants, desires, goals, etc and those things are a common link that bind us together although we may not be in direct contact with one another. The same applies to individual relationships with the larger community. It is the commonality of events, issues, values, etc., that connect us. The same can be applied to nations in our world.

It becomes clear that we are also Interconnected in a variety of meaningful ways. The connections may be family connections, connections based on giving support or professional service, it may be connectivity in helping one another accomplish individual as well as collective goals, it can be sharing religion and spirituality, tradition, or a host of other connections that are based on human need. The fact that we are all members of a community is a connection of significance. In these ways, human beings become part of something larger than themselves which effects their sense of self and their personal and collective well being.

The concept of Mutual Interdependence suggests that every entity in a system is dependent upon other entities to survive and successfully carry out the process of living. Independence is best understood when we recognize the extent to which we are all interdependent.

The existence of Mutual Interdependence is clearly evident as we look at the various groups, institutions, and organizations that exist in the community. The reason that these entities exist is that they are needed in order for people to carry out the business of daily living. Without the contributions of the variety of entities we could not carry on life as effectively or successfully--either individually or collectively. We truly need one another's talents, creations, support, input etc., to make our way effectively through life. Think for example about our food supply: How and where is it grown? How is it delivered for our consumption? Who or what becomes a central delivery point? Who or what provides the necessary resources to cook and prepare it? Who or what is involved in dealing with the waste products of our food consumption so that we can live in a community that is suitably clean and free from our own contamination? What are some other examples of this principle?

Finally, the idea of the manner in which exchanges (transactions) occur between entities or elements (entities sounds really impersonal and probably should be read as: exchanges between individuals, families, groups, or other community organizations) in the environment has a direct bearing on the behavior and quality of life for those elements. For example, the way we communicate and relate to one another--wherever and whenever we meet affects the way people perceive themselves and their value to others in the community. For example: acceptance, kindness, respect, dignity, etc., that we show one another illustrates this concept. The way women, people of color, the aging, etc. are treated by others has a direct bearing on their quality of life. Transactions also refers to the ways in which problems are identified and collectively addressed by members of a community. What is the nature of the transactions (interaction, communication, collective cooperation, response, etc.) that surround problem solving among community elements, etc.

The Supporting Theories

Ecological Theory (brief summary excerpted in part from Encyclopedia of Social Work)

Ecology is the biological science that studies organism-environment relationships. It is focused on the interactions between organisms and elements of their environment. In the social sciences it is the focus on the person and the environment. However, it is not limited to the idea that the person is always the target of change or assistance. The environment itself--any part of it--or any organism within the environment can become the target of change or concern. It is also helpful in considering the behavior or functioning of any organism or entity in the environment.

Concepts from this theory help extend our understanding of the interacting personal, environmental, and cultural factors involved in complicated personal or social situations or conditions. The practice principles derived from this theory and used by change agents (social workers, human service workers, etc.) are aimed at promoting individual and family health, growth, satisfying social functioning, and a strong move toward a better "fit" between environment and its residents. That is to say that the goal is a mutual awareness, commitment, and responsiveness between all elements of the environment or between a specific entity and the environment at large. There is a strong focus on the effects of the environment on the growth, development, and behavior of people and institutions within the environment. Transactions between entities are the primary focus in improving the quality of life, social functioning, etc., for all who live with the ecological boundary.

This theory supports the view of people and their environment operating as a unitary system within a particular cultural and historical context. Both the person and the environment can be understood only in terms of their relationship, in which each continually influences the other--continually (a relationship of reciprocal influence). An important aspect of the theory is "ecological thinking" which is the terms that can be applied to the commentary above. The value of ecological/holistic/systems thinking is that it is a mode of thought that offers a useful alternative to linear thinking. Linear thinking can explain simple phenomena such as John dropping a glass a cement floor. The glass breaks but John remains, for the most part, unchanged. In a person to person interaction, A causes an effect that changes B, however, A remains unchanged. In reality, the human experience is more complex and is not as understandable when using such limited thinking. Ecological thinking, by comparison, is much more useful in understanding and explaining human complexities by examination of the exchanges between A and B that shape, influence, or change both over time. Here is such a scenario: A acts, which leads to a change in B, whereupon the change in B elicits a change in A that in turn changes B, which then changes or other wise influences A, and so on. The process is further complicated by the fact that there are usually other variables operating at the same time in the experience of both A and B. Ecological thinking is less concerned with cause and more concerned with the consequences of exchanges between A and B and how to help modify maladaptive exchanges.

Person:environment fit is a useful concept as well and refers to the actual fit between an individual's or a collective group's needs, rights, capacities and the qualities and operations of their physical and social environments. Consequently, for the person and environment, the fit might be favorable, minimally adequate, or unfavorable. When fit is favorable or even minimally adequate, it represents a state of relative "adaptedness," which promotes continued development and satisfying social functioning and sustains or enhances the environment. Adaptedness reflects generally positive person:environment exchanges over time. Adaptedness is never fixed but shifts in accord with shifts in reciprocal exchanges. When exchanges over time are generally negative, development, health, and social functioning might be impaired and the environment could be damaged. When adaptedness is generally positive the opposite of the above would be the general expectation.

Social Systems Theory

Systems theory also provides a conceptual perspective that can guide how we view the world. It is useful to use this view to focus on the interactions that go on in any system as well as the interaction between systems in the environment. Its primary value is its focus on the process of organization within systems. A system is a set of elements that are orderly and interrelated to make a functional whole. For example, a person, a family, a university, any business organization, the government, our society, etc., is a system. Notably, humans create systems (also called social or formal organizations) that range in complexity from single systems to those that are comprised of several systems, in a collective, that assume a single system identity.

There are terms (concepts) generally associated with systems that describe a system's activities in its interaction with other systems in the environment. Terms such as input, output, conversion operations, homeostasis, boundaries, boundary maintenance, etc., are used to describe the way systems behave presumably, to accomplish their goals. What is most useful about the idea of systems is what is noted above--the idea of orderly, interrelated elements that work together to produce and maintain a functional whole. We can see that the organization of the system is designed to assure that goals are accomplished by an orderly and systematic way of doing things. It is important to note that systems develop a separate and distinct identity, that is separate and apart from the individuals who comprise it. This identity is tied to goals and objectives (the reason the system existence), and the roles people play, the rules, expectations, norms, desired outcomes of the system itself.. Consequently, as individual members of the system are required to adopt the system's broad norms and expectations. These system elements impact the individuals within the system in various ways and become part of the individual's personal troubles or personal well being. In reciprocal fashion, the members of the system impact the system as well by individual personalities, changes they want in the system, and the way in which they perform their roles.

Systems do not always operate effectively, efficiently, or in accordance with stated goals. They often operate in varying degrees of effectiveness or efficiency. Consequently, a system designed to meet the needs of persons in the environment may, for a variety of reasons, fall short of this goal leaving those needs unmet and individuals wanting. As we view a system, we can look at the way it is organized and the way the specific roles interrelate and are carried out by system's members. We can look at the nature of the relationships that exist within the system and their effect on members as well. We also note how members influence and change any system to which they belong.. Consider a family system that is poorly organized. Without sound organization, there is little chance that it will be effective. It then becomes dysfunctional or fails to perform what it was organized to do for its members and society. However, the family system exists within an environment were there are systems designed to assist ailing family systems. Consequently, the effectiveness of the organization (programs, eligibility requirements, etc) present in those helping systems (agencies) that are created to meet family needs is important for stabilizing and maintaining our community system. The extent to which the larger system (community, state, nation) has developed assisting agencies (systems) to respond to the needs of the ailing family is a measure of the responsiveness of the environment to its members and a concern of ecological theory.

Systems theory and Ecological theory share some of the same basic ideas but focus on somewhat different aspects of the human experience. As to similarities, both focus on the dynamic interaction that occurs between systems (note examples of systems above). Some of the terms and concepts are similar and each provides a framework for viewing the world as well as understanding and explaining the human experience. Both theories view interactions in a larger, environmental context rather than focusing on one single element--such as only the individual and are more inclusive than a linear perspective. These theories focus on environmental or systems activities, responses, or conditions and their effect on the individual, family, group, etc. It is from these theories that we are able to better understand and describe the complex nature of the human experience as a process of interaction with environments.

As to differences, there are basically two. First, the ecological approach refers to living, dynamic interactions. The emphasis is on active involvement of all people as living organisms living in the same eco-system. People have dynamic interactions/transactions with each other and with other elements/entities in their environments (as illustrated in the section on ecological theory and the interaction example of A and B). Systems theory, on the other hand, focuses on the perspective of organization and the role of each systems component in the effective operation of the system. It is derived from a scientific base (actually the science of thermal dynamics), and as such can be used to refer to inanimate, mechanical operations from the assembly line in an automobile plant to the functioning of the human family. It is a theory that emphasizes the nature of how systems are organized and their effectiveness in producing a desired outcome. The terms and concepts associated with systems describes how and why it is created in the first place and what outcome goals are part of its reason for existence.

For example, an auto factory has outcome goals of producing cars while a family may have outcome goals of producing productive citizens. Both are viable goals and are clearly defined based on the system's mission or purpose for existing. From a systems theory perspective modification of the way something is created, organized, and put together is the focus, while in ecological theory the nature and quality of the transactions between elements is the primary focus. For example, in family system experiencing difficulties (whatever they might be) systems theory would suggest a focus on the organizational structure and the assignment and fulfillment of roles as a focal point. Ecological theory would suggest a focus on the nature of the way people interact/transact with one another such as how and what they communicate. Both theories offer useful ways to view a family holistically--or as a system of interacting parts.. There is not a single area of concern but a dynamic interaction of problems, behaviors, and responses within the family that must be addressed--a much broader, useful, and inclusive approach.

A second difference is the emphasis on different terms. The ecological approach focuses on transactions between individuals and the environment at the interface or point at which the individual and other elements of the environment meet. such terms as transactions, goodness of fit, etc., describe this theory's view. Systems theory, on the other hand focuses on the functioning of the elements within the system and the maintenance of steady state or balance within the system itself.

The Concepts:

Definitions:

Interrelatedness:

Have or bring into a relationship:

To have a relationship in which each person or thing depends on or is affected by the others...

Relatedness refers to attachments, friendships, positive kin relationships, and a sense of belonging to a supportive social network. The concept of relatedness is based in part on Bowlby's (1973) attachment theory, which states that attachment is an innate capacity of human beings. Relatedness is also based on ideas about emotional and social loneliness and isolation (Weiss, 1973, 1982), social network theory (for example, Gottleib, 1986), mutual aid groups (Gitterman & Schulman, 1993), and ideas about relatedness to the natural world (for example, Searles, 1960), including responsible stewardship and the use of pets, gardening, camping, and wilderness experiences (for example, Germain, 1993). (Encyclopedia of Social Work)

Interconnected:

join onto one another:

to be joined to something else or to a number of joined things, or to make something part of such a network (often passive) the rooms are interconnected to form a suite

•relate things:

to show a relationship between two or more things, or to be related

Interdependent:

depending on each other:

unable to exist or survive without each other interdependent organisms

•with mutually dependent elements:

relying on mutual assistance, support, cooperation, or interaction among constituent elements or members

Interdependence is the mutual reliance of each person on each other person. Individuals are interdependent as they rely on other individuals and groups of individuals in the social environment. People cannot exist without each other. The business executive needs the farmer to produce food and customers to purchase goods. Likewise, the farmer must sell food products to the executive in order to get money to buy seed, tools, etc. People--especially in a highly industrialized society--are interdependent and need each other in order to survive.

Reciprocity

•reciprocal relationship or act:

something done mutually or in return

•relationship involving mutual exchange:

a relationship between people involving the exchange of goods, services, favors, or obligations, especially a mutual exchange of privileges between trading nations or recognition of licenses between states the long-standing tariff reciprocity between our two countries

Transaction:

•interaction:

a communication or activity between two or more people that influences and affects all of them

In Ecological Theory, it is the nature, or the way, in which transactions occur that has significant meaning. It is the nature of the interactions between and among people that is the focus of attention. The ways we communicate, behave, and interact with one another affects the quality of life of the persons involved and spills over into the community in which they reside. Being treated with disrespect, distain, discrimination, etc., affects individuals' concept of themselves, their feeling of belonging, and their identification with the social group. It weakens the bonds between individuals and groups and, consequently, the bonds within a community.