An American university lecturer failed a student’s assignment because she didn’t believe Australia was a real country.
Ashley Arnold had to write a paper comparing a social norm in the U.S. and another country, and chose social media use in Australia.
The 27-year-old was shocked to fail the assignment because her teacher at Southern New Hampshire University said Australia was a continent, not a country.
Ashley Arnold failed her sociology assignment at Southern New Hampshire University because her teacher insisted Australia was a continent, not a country
The stay-at-home mother got zero marks in three sections of her sociology assignment for not answering the question, as a result of her teacher’s bizarre belief
As a result, the stay-at-home mother got zero marks in three sections of her sociology assignment for not answering the question.
‘I was in shock. It was the most ridiculous thing ever… Part me thinks this is a joke but it’s real life, she is totally for real,’ she said.
‘I was like, I did not get this wrong, right? It made me doubtful for a second. Thankfully the facts were on my side.’
Ms Arnold, from Idaho Falls in Idaho, was confused as to why the lecturer, who has a PhD in sociology, didn’t just Google Australia to confirm it was a country.
She wrote back explaining that Australia was actually a country as well as a continent, even providing references, but the teacher was unconvinced.
‘Australia is a continent; it is not a country. That error made it nearly impossible for you to accurately complete your week 2 research outline correctly,’ she replied.
Ms Arnold, from Idaho Falls in Idaho, was confused as to why the lecturer, who has a PhD in sociology, didn’t just Google Australia to confirm it was a country
She wrote back explaining that Australia was actually a country as well as a continent, even providing references, but the teacher was unconvinced
Ms Arnold sent a link to the Australian Government’s ‘about Australia’ page, and finally the teacher said she would do independent research into the issue.
‘I mean no disrespect but my grade is affected by your assumption that Australia is not a country when it in fact is,’ she said.
Finally, the paper was re-graded as a B+ and she acknowledged a ‘misunderstanding about the difference between Australia as a country and a continent’.
‘I learned I can advocate for myself successfully even in the face of opposition brought on by a stubborn professor with a PhD,’ Ms Arnold said of the bizarre experience.
Ms Arnold sent a link to the Australian Government’s ‘about Australia’ page, and finally the teacher said she would do independent research into the issue
Finally, the paper was re-graded as a B+ and she acknowledged a ‘misunderstanding about the difference between Australia as a country and a continent’
The university said it was looking into the matter after Ms Arnold came forward to make sure no other students were given bad grades for the same reason.
‘At SNHU, we hold our professors to a high standard of excellence and strive to provide high-quality degree programs for all students,’ it said.
‘On this question, the student is right. We take this concern seriously and our academic team is working to resolve the matter.’