Performance Task I What is a lens or discipline?

The video introduces the concept of a 'lens' or 'discipline' for AP Seminar students, specifically for Performance Task 1 (PT1). Each group member will investigate a chosen topic through a specific lens to contribute to the overall understanding of the subject.

For PT1, groups must develop a research question on a single topic or issue that is debatable, open to multiple perspectives, and supported by credible academic research. The topic should be something people argue about or study at universities.

Each group member will choose a specific lens or discipline to investigate the group's chosen topic. This lens must have a clear, logical connection to the topic. For example, considering 'police reform,' various lenses could include economics, legal, education, social, racial, or political aspects, all contributing to a holistic understanding of the complex issue.

To choose a lens, students should consider how their research connects to the group topic, what type of professional or academic might study it (e.g., a historian, economist, or legal scholar), or which school subjects relate to the topic. It's crucial that the chosen lens is logically connected to the group's topic, and if in doubt, students should consult their AP Seminar teacher.

It's not necessary to explicitly state 'my lens is...' in the paper. The chosen lens will be evident through the student's word choices, the types of experts cited, and the sources used. For instance, if all experts are law professors, the legal perspective will be clear.

The video presents eight common lenses or disciplines applicable to most AP Seminar topics: science, ethics, future, social, history, economics, medical, and legal. Groups should brainstorm a wide range of possible lenses to ensure all members find a topic of interest, avoiding situations where members feel 'stuck' with a particular lens. If multiple members are interested in the same discipline, they can focus on different aspects within that discipline (e.g., different legal issues or different ethnic groups within a social lens).

If a student chooses an economic lens, their research will focus on costs, profits, losses, and will cite economists and experts on prices or taxes. Similarly, a scientific lens will involve scientific experts, hard data from experiments, and scientific evidence. The vocabulary and evidence will naturally demonstrate the chosen lens.

The social lens encompasses aspects like social class, race, and ethnicity. If several group members are interested in the social lens, they can subdivide it. For example, one could focus on social class, another on race, and another on ethnicity. Further subdivision is possible, such as focusing on different ethnic groups within a specific location.

The video suggests creating a document or slideshow where the group topic is central, and potential lenses are listed around it. Using the example of 'opening schools in Long Beach Unified School District,' obvious lenses include economic (costs of safety measures), political (political pressures), socioeconomic (impact on different groups), and educational (educator perspectives). After brainstorming, groups should consult their teacher for guidance.

The video concludes by reiterating that a lens or discipline defines the type of experts an individual student will study to contribute their research to the group. Students are strongly encouraged to communicate with their AP Seminar teacher throughout the process for clarification and guidance on their choices.