PPG2012 Class 1

During our first class, we attempted to define the terms “community” and “impact,” and aptly so given the contents of this course. I found it interesting that there was always overlap throughout every definition each of us had come up with for both terms. This made me wonder about the semantics of it all and the ways in which we are guided towards associating words with negative/positive connotations which influences the way we define them.

The term “community” in particular seemed to carry particularly positive undertones but, as time went on, we opted for a more neutral-sounding definition. Encompassing meaning in the broadest terms can be difficult especially when we are operating within the context of a class that is focused on community organizing in relation to public policy. But, nevertheless, as policy professionals, understanding the wide scope which public policy blankets and the number of people it affects calls for broad definitions at times.

Defining “impact,” however, seemed a little more neutral from the get-go. And again, I was forced to wonder if that is because of the space we occupy as policy professionals who understand that impacts can take on a variety of meanings depending on the catalyst.

It seems, ironically, that we built a sense of community during our first class particularly by sharing why we took the course. Hearing the experiences of my peers in regards to community involvement and policy changes spoke to the ways in which public policy shapes our every day and the ways in which it can be influenced inside and outside of policy-specific spaces.

I am curious about whether the definitions we had initially put forth will change over time throughout the course and the analysis as to why that is if this does happen.