Lenses, Stakeholders, & Points-of-View

Understanding the concept of multiple perspectives is a key requirement of AP Seminar.  Perspective is an umbrella term used to describe the way a person or group looks at a particular issue.  Lenses, stakeholders, and points-of-view (POVs) are tools researchers use to ensure they are considering different perspectives.  Using these three tools helps to ensure you are not oversimplifying a concept or argument. 

**As you may come to notice, many of these terms are used interchangeably.  This is because they are all basically synonyms for one another.  To make sure we all understand each other, we will use the terms as defined below.**

Artistic & Philosophical: Relating to creative expression of ideas and concepts through writing, speaking, and performing

• How is this problem represented artistically?

• How could art (music, literature, film, television, etc.) be part of a solution to this problem?

• What philosophical stances or beliefs does this problem involve?  How could these ideas support a solution?

Cultural & Social: Relating to ideas, customs, and behaviors within a group or society

• What social implications does this problem have?

• How does it affect how society is organized or structured?

• Does this problem disproportionately affect a specific social or cultural group?  Which ones and how so?

• What social or cultural changes could help solve this problem?

Economic: Relating to issues of finance including trade, borrowing, spending, and supply and demand

• What are the economic reasons behind this problem?

• Who profits as a result of this problem?  Who loses money?

• What economic solutions exist for this problem?  Who will pay for it?

• Will solving the problem to beneficial or detrimental to the economy?

Environmental: Relating to nature, resources, and our planet

• What environmental impact does this problem have?

• What environmental ripple effects exist due to this problem?

• How does this environmental problem impact humans?

• What environmental actions might solve this problem?

Ethical: Relating to values, morals, and principles

• What ethical issues exist around this problem?

• How do we know the wrong or right thing to do in this case?

• What ethical precedents might be set by solving or not solving this problem?

Futuristic & Technological: Relating to both general and technological problems or solutions that could come up in the future

• What are the possible future consequences of solving this problem?

• How will the future be changed by solving or not solving the problem?

• What precedents for the future might be set by solving or not solving this problem?

• In what ways can new technologies affect or improve an issue?

Historical: Relating to historical events and how problems and solutions developed over time

• What is the history of this problem?  How has the problem changed over time?

• How have people attempted to address it in the past?  Why were they unsuccessful?

Political & Legal: Relating to government procedures & policies, civic action or organizations, and political parties

• What are the different political points-of-view on this problem?

• When divided on party lines, what is the reasoning behind each party's stance?

• How should government and legal systems address the issue?

• How do current laws and policies impact the problem?

Scientific & Medical/Psychological: Relating to advancements in our collective understanding of ourselves and the world through research and studies

• What is the science behind this problem?

• Are there scientific solutions to this problem?  What innovations could address it?

• What medical effects, both physical and mental, could this problem have?  What medical solutions could address it?