Story Archive

Subjunctive

A sociology student at Southern New Hampshire University, taking classes remotely from Idaho, was vexed by a professor’s response to her paper comparing a trend in the U.S. with another country. Ashley Arnold, 27, compared social media use in the U.S. and Australia. She wouldn’t name the professor, an adjunct, but she received a failing mark on the assignment because “Australia is a continent; not a country,” the teacher claimed. The nonplussed Arnold sent the professor a link to the Australian government’s web site to make it clear that Australia is a country — and posted the teacher’s rebuke online. The teacher grudgingly increased the assignment’s grade to a B+. “Following an investigation, we have replaced the instructor,” a university spokeswoman said, using a kind word for “fired,” adding the university “apologized to the student and refunded her for the class.” (RC/Manchester Union-Leader) ...“Adjunct (n.): (Logic) A nonessential attribute of a thing.” —American Heritage dictionary.