Sociology Professor Questions Australia’s Status
A 27-year-old stay-at-home mom named Emily Sanders from Idaho is pursuing her sociology degree through Southern New Hampshire University’s online program. For her final project, she decided to analyze social media usage in the United States compared to another country—in this case, Australia. However, things quickly took a comical turn.
Last month, Emily submitted an outline for her project, only to be astonished when she received an F on February 1st. The reason? Her professor, who holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy, asserted that “Australia is a continent, not a country.”
Setting the Record Straight
Determined to clarify the situation, Emily reached out to her professor, stating that Australia is indeed a country. She provided references to support her claim, including a source from the university library that described Australia as the “sixth-largest country in the world.”
In her email, she expressed her disbelief: “I believe I got zero or partial credit because the instructor said, ‘Australia is a continent; not a country.’ However, I believe that Australia is a country,” she wrote. “The full name is the Commonwealth of Australia, which confirms that it is both a continent and a country.”
Emily shared her professor’s response online, mocking the absurdity of needing to prove the basic geographical fact: “Research is like dominoes. If you start out by insisting that Australia is a country, then you’re going to lose all credibility when you try to convince me that they don’t ride kangaroos to work like horses. It’s about intellectual honesty.”
Despite her efforts, the professor remained unconvinced. “With her educational background, how could she not know Australia is a country?” Emily pondered. “If she’s questioning that, why not just Google it?”
In a follow-up email, Emily reiterated her point, stating, “Australia is both a country and a continent. If you need further clarification, Google or the SNHU Shapiro Library has that information for you.” Her frustration was palpable: “I mean no disrespect, but I’m a grown adult, and this is a conversation that shouldn’t even be happening.”
She even included a link to the Australian government’s website, yet her professor remained adamant, insisting on “independent research.” One can only imagine the professor’s late-night library escapades, poring over maps and encyclopedias, baffled by the dual status of Australia.
Resolution and Empowerment
Eventually, the professor conceded, adjusting Emily’s grade to a B+. However, she cautioned her to ensure that her report focused on “Australia the country and not Australia the continent.”
Emily was relieved to have her country’s status validated and proud of how she advocated for herself throughout this bizarre experience. “As a student returning to school in my late twenties, I’ve sometimes felt inadequate,” she shared. “But this incident helped me realize that I am equal and capable of standing up for myself.”
Southern New Hampshire University later addressed the situation, stating that they were supportive of Emily’s concerns. She expressed gratitude for the university’s responsiveness and was excited to continue her studies, planning to graduate in May.
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Summary
Emily Sanders, a stay-at-home mom pursuing a sociology degree, faced a comical challenge when her professor mistakenly claimed that Australia is not a country. After advocating for herself and providing evidence, Emily successfully had her grade changed from an F to a B+. This experience empowered her and highlighted the importance of standing up for one’s academic integrity.