Community Engagement Assignment Sample

Subject Name : Engineering

Community Engagement

Name of the Student

Name of the University

Authors Note

Part A

The ideas, themes and issues that are discussed in the themes are related to community engagement practices and citizens participation in the important decisions. It has been found that community plays a great role in the lives of common men. Communitys role in the life of a common man can be understood as a tradeoff between the existence of freedom and security. In the large and poad world, the community provides a person with the feeling of attachment, security, goodwill, honesty and trust (Waterton amp Smith, 2010). The practices and definition of a community change with time because the community works with the impossible aim to become a perfect community in which a satisfactory trade-off can be maintained between freedom and security such that every person remains satisfied and contented. The paper which is given by young supports some of the arguments of the previous paper. However, it finds more negative aspects of a community but the depth of the argument is hollow and less acceptable. According to it, the community is an exclusive but unobtainable group. It is an understandable group which also leads to political problems. Power differences also exist in which some groups enjoy the privilege while others refrain from them. Restrictions and obligations for some people are also high but on the other hand, it is low for some other people. It also focuses on the feminist approach and suggests that differences arise due to community framework (Sharp, 1996).

In other paper, it is also argued that community is understood as ideal but along with that it is also wrongfully homogenized and overlooked in modern times. People participate in a community on the basis of geographic interest, security, belief and a newly emergent catalyst based. But people also misinterpret that it is the only single entity with which an individual is connected. This also leads to politics and conflicts with other groups (Tritter amp McCallum, 2006). Further, it is also possible that an individual can participate and remain connected with more than one group which is still not accepted by the people. In government institutes and from managerial perspectives, previously, managerial or top-down approach was favored. However, it is argued that shit has been observed in modern times from a top-down approach to power-sharing approach in which community engagement is facilitated. However, some critiques also suggest that a degree of skepticism is found for intentions of the government and the potential influence of common people (Head, 2007). The existence of new shared power approach is still in doubt because government exercises some limits along with the freedom and citizens are also in a weaker position to exercise their power and control.

Part B

The classroom activities and student-led workshops were associated with some of the theories and arguments that were discussed in the classroom and in the course material. The class-experiences and discussions are related to the readings and theories up to a great extent. The impact of holding power in a community is related to the activities and workshops. After both the theoretical and practical learning activities, the concept became quite clear for us. It is often misinterpreted that an individual can participate in only one community. However, the individual is entitled to participate in more than one entity depending on his/her interest (Waterton amp Smith, 2010). Each community has a particular goal but it also leads to conflicts and power differences among the citizens. Community is the need of people and it is accepted as an ideal but along with that, it is also misinterpreted among the common man. The second key point which is derived from the readings and activities is related to power distribution in the community. Several interpretations of power can be understood which include an influencing power, exerting power over others in the community, having a certain degree of control over others and being exclusionary. It is granted to some people due to the societal structure and influence in society. Contrary to this, the definition gets changed when it comes to empowerment in which the power is gained due to some capability or achievement. The power arises from the struggle during negotiation which leads to acting in accordance with some set parameters and attaining the common goals (Head, 2007). It is still premature to say that power-sharing is in practice in the present world because certain limitations are still observed in the practical world.