In a bizarre twist of academia, a stay-at-home mom from Idaho, named Lisa Thompson, found herself grappling with an unexpected failing grade in her sociology course at Southern New Hampshire University. At 27, Lisa was determined to excel in her studies, and for her final project, she chose to explore the differences in social media usage between the United States and Australia. Little did she know, this choice would lead to a comedic and frustrating confrontation with her professor.
When Lisa submitted her outline last month, she was blindsided to receive an F on February 1. The reason? Her professor, who holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy, insisted that “Australia is a continent, not a country.”
In response, Lisa crafted a detailed email defending her choice, citing research to clarify that Australia is indeed both a country and a continent. “According to the research starter on SNHU’s library, Australia is the ‘sixth-largest country in the world,’” Lisa stated in her appeal. “The full name is the Commonwealth of Australia, confirming that it holds both titles. Therefore, I believe my grade needs reevaluation.”
Sharing the professor’s bewildering assertion on social media, Lisa humorously remarked, “If I start by saying Australia is a country, I’ll lose all credibility if I claim they ride kangaroos to work!”
Despite her attempts to reason with her educator, Lisa was initially met with skepticism. “With her level of education, how could she not know Australia is a country?” Lisa wondered. “If she’s questioning it, why not just Google it?”
Undeterred, Lisa sent another email, reiterating her points and providing a link to the Australian government’s website for further evidence. The professor remained unconvinced, insisting on “independent research” and leaving Lisa feeling incredulous about the whole situation.
Ultimately, after further correspondence, the professor begrudgingly acknowledged her error—sort of. Lisa’s grade was adjusted to a B+, but the professor cautioned her to ensure that she differentiates between “Australia the country” and “Australia the continent.”
For Lisa, this experience was empowering. “As a student in my late twenties, I’ve sometimes felt out of place. This situation made me realize that I can advocate for myself, even against authority figures,” she shared on social media. Her determination paid off, and she expressed gratitude for attending a university that values student voices.
In closing, Lisa announced that she would be graduating in May and looked forward to future travels—perhaps even visiting the country of Australia itself.
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Summary
A mother from Idaho faced a comical yet frustrating academic challenge when her sociology professor claimed Australia was merely a continent. After defending her grade with research, she ultimately got her grade changed while gaining confidence in advocating for herself.