Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: January 7, 2018

To the Associate Dean (Studies):

I am writing to appeal my final paper grade in DEVS 293 - Global Mental Health. I took this course in Fall 2018 and received my final paper grade on December 28, 2018. I received a 79 on my final paper and would like to request that this mark be re-assessed.

Throughout the course, I learned how to think critically about current topics in Global Mental Health and demonstrated this in my assignments. When my initial assignment marks were surprisingly low, I met with my instructor and sought constructive feedback about how to improve my work. I was advised to think creatively when selecting a topic, and to improve my writing style. I made sure to consider these factors when writing my final paper, in order to achieve within the ¿¿A¿ range according to the rubric provided.

When I emailed my instructor about my concern over the final paper grade, she responded over email but was unwilling to reconsider the grade, because my paper did not exceed expectations according to her rubric system. I find it challenging and unusual that this rubric did not offer any option between A and B. Based on my instructor¿¿s feedback, my paper was lacking some ¿¿exceptional¿ quality which kept it in the B range. However, this leaves no room to divide the quality of work into A+, A, and A- levels, which usually help to distinguish between exceptional and excellent work. If possible, I would request that my paper to be re-assessed according to a grading scale that allows for more nuance than the A/B option given in the original rubric.

I feel that my paper was not evaluated to the fullest extent. In my paper, I discuss the Tuvaluan people¿¿s cultural and spiritual ties to their land. I then investigate the implications of climate change on collective mental health, considering the close relationship between environment and identity within this population. I refer to the controversy surrounding the term ¿¿climate refugees¿ and write about how language can serve to depoliticize climate change, leading to detrimental consequences for individual mental health and community development. I examine this issue within the context of global hierarchical power, and point out potential ways forward that are currently being initiated in Tuvalu.

Additionally, the comments provided on my paper were solely positive. They read ¿¿Very interesting and well written Good job.¿ The complete absence of negative feedback makes me struggle to understand what was significantly lacking in my paper. Based on the assignment requirements, I believe that I exceeded the expectations put in place. I analyzed this topic by using critical thought and synthesizing current research in a way that is both informative and argumentative.

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to consider this request.

Sincerely,
Rachel Field