Why: Disciplinary perspectives and theoretical lenses

Consider employing a particular disciplinary perspective or theory from which to approach your topic. Keep in mind the themes of the course for which you are writing the assignment and the perspectives or theoretical approaches addressed in class.

Scholars from different disciplines will often approach the same issue quite differently. Consider the issue “income inequality”. Some possible topics that may follow from different disciplinary perspectives include:

• Economics: relationship between income distribution and economic growth
• Sociology: relationship between income inequality and population health
• Political Science: relationship between income inequality and democratic transparency

Even within the same discipline, scholars may approach issues using different theoretical perspectives. For example, a literary scholar may use a Marxist, structuralist or a postmodern lens to analyze a text. A political scientist may interpret an issue through a realist or constructivist lens.

It can also be useful to imagine what questions different groups connected to the issue might pose. For example, consider the range of questions that might be asked about funding for post-secondary education:

• Government: how to increase access to post-secondary education for economically marginalized students without increasing budgets?
• Student: how can I access sufficient funding while going to school full time?
• Teacher: what effect do larger class sizes have on the ability to engage in active learning techniques in the classroom?