Dear Mr._________,
This letter is to request for a final grade revision/ appeal for an assignment that I completed for the course The God of Philosophers (LEH355) taught by Professor Carl Brownson during the Fall 2013 semester.
(Facts)
Midterm given on 10/2/2013 grade: 86/100
Second exam given on 11/6/2013 grade: 82/100
8-10 page final term paper – (option to exclude final exam in exchange for a 16-20 page final term paper).
The first half of the semester was great and I enjoyed Professor Brownson’s enthusiasm for philosophy. At times, my classmates would chat continuously during class making it difficult for others to hear, but I still enjoyed the class topics.
On 10/2/2013 we were given our midterm exam. My grade was an 86/100
On 10/7/2013 I was 10 minutes late to class.
On 10/7/2013 we were given the option to exclude the final exam in exchange for a longer term paper (16-20 pages). The outline for this paper due on 10/30/2013. I asked for Professor Brownson’s permission to take this option; many students wanted to do the same.
On 10/9/2013 was the first day that I began to feel that Professor Brownson’s opinion of Christianity was biased and that he was imposing his opinion of God’s existence onto the class. Instead of allowing us to make our own judgments he taught in a way that would sway ill-informed parties toward his atheist beliefs. I made a statement in support of my belief in God’s existence and in the middle of my statement I was immediately cut off and ridiculed by Professor Bownson’s perspective of the topic. Then we got into a heated debate that ended as I felt overpowered by his presence. I did not intentionally argue with Professor Brownson and I know he is an expert in his stream; I felt that the class learning experience should have been non-biased.
On 10/16/2013 my inquisitive questions and the desire to express an opinion about a class topic would be ignored and put down by the Professor. The entire class was not welcome to question an idea that did not match his atheist agenda.
My classmates would often joke that Professor Brownson was a really nice guy as long as everyone agreed with his atheist opinions. If not, then he would essentially make students pay for it.
On 10/23/2013 Professor Brownson decided to write notes on the board; he usually had lectured classes as his writing was illegible. I raised my hand in an attempt to politely ask if he could clarify a few words on the board that I could not understand. He replied sarcastically. “Maybe you should learn how to read.” The class chuckled and I immediately felt embarrassed and singled out.
On 10/23/2013 after class, I went to Dr. Carole Weisz, who was then the advisor for the LEH department; I expressed my concerns regarding the unfair treatment by Professor Brownson. I told her about the few unpleasant encounters that I experienced in his class and asked her how I should handle the course as it was too late to drop out. She advised that I express my concerns with my professor and try to work things out with him. She also suggested in case it did not work, I should speak to the department chair.
On10/28/2013 I took Dr. Weisz’s advice and spoke to Professor Brownson after the class. I expressed my perspective on the above-mentioned events and my overall classroom experience. He listened with slight interruption and in so many words dismissively claimed that this was all in my head; he also said that he simply didn’t see me raising my hand. At that point I decided that my strategy would be to do what was needed to satisfy the course requirements and finish the course. I followed the syllabus readings, but no longer participated in class discussions. He seemed to be less confrontational that way.
On 10/30/2013 my outline for the term paper was turned in and approved by Professor Carl Brownson on the same day.
On 11/6/2013 we were given our second exam. My grade was an 82/100.
On 11/11/2013 I was absent from class.
On 12/9/2013 I was absent from class.
On 12/11/2013 I turned in my term paper. During the holiday break I had to deal with a few tragic family issues and I was not in the best of spirits.
On 12/26/2013 I received an email from Professor Brownson accusing me of plagiarism (see attached email).
On 12/27/2013 I was very upset about the accusations because I had endured so much drama from our interactions the entire semester. I responded to Professor Brownson’s email and although at the time I felt justified; I will admit it was not a very pleasant response. (See attached email).
I later apologized and explained the reason behind it. I then re-answered his specific questions regarding my original paper in a more polite manner. On 2/27/2014 when the spring semester began, I realized that Professor Brownson had given me an incomplete grade and did not release my final grade. I immediately went to the philosophy department to meet him, but he was not available. At 1:13pm I received an email from him requesting that I can either rewrite the alleged plagiarized paper or convince him that I wrote it. (See attached emails).
On 2/27/2014 I replied that I have already turned in my final term paper and completed his course; also I would not be re-submitting any other work to him. I also requested for releasing my final grade for the paper; I also asked him to file proper documents with the school to charge me with plagiarism as accused. (See attached emails).
Over time our emails became abrupt. Eventually, sometime in late spring, I spoke to the Chair of the Philosophy department. I was told by him that as I had taken the course as a LEH, I would need to take that up with the LEH department or try to work things out with my professor.
I went to the LEH department and by this time Dr. Carole Weisz had become temporary department Chair. I explained to her how things had escalated and how I needed someone to intervene. She said that she would speak to Professor Brownson and ask him to either charge me with plagiarism or release my grade.
As time went on Professor Brownson neglected by requests and did not to comply. This eventually caused my grade to go from INC to FINC. (See attached emails). Uncertain how to move forward I went back to Dr. Weisz, who told me that since she did not grade me it would be impossible for me to appeal. She advised that I go back to the Philosophy Department Chair.
I hope you understand that getting my proper grades released is very exhausting both mentally and physically. On the grounds of an unjust and discriminatory process in determining my final grade; I request that my final grades are re-evaluated by taking the above information into account.
Thank you for considering my application and giving your precious time.
Sincerely,
Ebony Barber
Encl:
- All corresponding emails
- Syllabus for the course
- Ungraded assignment
- Unofficial transcript
-Academic Integrity definition and procedure
