Community studies is an academic field drawing on both sociology and anthropology and the social research methods of ethnography and participant observation in the study of community. In academic settings around the world, community studies is variously a sub-discipline of anthropology or sociology, or an independent discipline. It is often interdisciplinary and geared toward practical applications rather than purely theoretical perspectives. Community studies is sometimes combined with other fields, i.e., "Urban and Community Studies," "Health and Community Studies," or "Family and Community studies."

Community studies, like colonial anthropology, have often assumed the existence of discrete, relatively homogeneous, almost tribe-like communities, which can be studied as organic wholes. In this, it has been a key influence on communitarianism and communalism, from the local context to the global and everywhere in between.

Community studies curricula

Community studies curricula are often centered on the "concerns" of communities. These include mental and physical health, stress, addiction, AIDS, racism, immigration, ethnicity, gender, identity, sexuality, the environment, crime, deviance, delinquency, family problems, social competence, poverty, homelessness and other psycho-social aspects. Understanding the socio-cultural completeness and the anthropological ramifications of the accurate analysis of community health is key to the sphere of these studies.

Another focus of curricula in community studies is upon anthropology, cultural anthropology in particular. Some programs set as prerequisite knowledge, the background and historical contexts for community, drawing upon archeological findings and the theoretical underpinnings for social organization in ancient and prehistorical community settings. The theories connected with the so-called "Neolithic revolution" is one example of a deep study into how, where and why, hunter-gatherer communities formed.

Community studies have been linked to the causes of social justice, promoting peace and nonviolence and working towards social change, often within an activist framework.

Structure of the community studies program

Community studies programs are normally offered as bachelor's degrees for three or four years. Still there are various part-time study alternatives for people who have a job or other important things to do: they could to combine their studies with work, for example. Various universities also encourage their students to do internships between their second and terminal year of study. These internships are viewed as an excellent opportunity to utilize your acquired knowledge and communicate with professionals in this field.

Choosing the United States as a country for your studies you would probably prefer community studies as your specialty. But at the beginning you will study two years of liberal arts courses, and then you will be able to focus on the core courses during the second half of your program. And if this is not enough for students who want to be taught more, a postgraduate qualification in the area of community studies is available. A master's degree can be studied for one or two years, followed by a doctorate, which normally takes four to six years to finish. Your timetable will particularly consist of lectures, seminars, training programs and workshops. Some universities can also coordinate excursions to public institutions, as well as invitee presentations from experts.

The precise content of your program will depend on where you decide to study and on the elective modules you choose. Yet most schools offer main classes on these topics:

1. Community and social group theories
2. Social policy and provision of social security
3. Modern problems in the community
4. Social divisions and groups
5. Promoting healthy communities
6. Protection of vulnerable groups and communities
7. Managing inequality