Taking the High Road
Quick Background
The following conversation pertains to my cm380 Theory and Process class. The class grade is determined by a total of 300 points, 100 points for an exam, 100 points for a paper, and 100 points for a final paper. I received 83/100 on the exam, and 86/100 for the first paper. In order to get a B- or higher in the class I would need to get no lower than a 71 on the final paper. Here’s what happened:
My initial email:
Hi Dr. xyz,
Not here to argue my grade ( how could I without seeing your comments 
) but I noticed that a 70 on the final paper gives me 239/300 (which is a 79.67, C+). If I remember correctly you said you do not do rounding up when it comes to final grades.
Just wanted to make sure before I start mentally hitting myself for choosing New Media Theory for my final paper (which I clearly struggled with)
Thanks again, and if I don’t see you again have a great summer,
AJ
The professor’s response:
Hi AJ,
Yes, it is true that I do not round up grades. You did seem to struggle quite a bit with the final assignment. The theory is a tough one. Your paper was very awkward and ended up reading as an application of the theory rather than an argument about it (exactly what I warned against in class). Since your grades had been rising (slightly, but still rising) over the semester, I had hoped to see a good finish from you.
You participated well during class and it seemed as though you learned quite a bit over the semester, so do not kick yourself too much for the choice of theory on the final paper. Not that it is any consolation, but there were folks who selected easier topics who did much worse.
I hope you have a good summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. xyz
My response
Thanks for the quick response.
My last question to you then is based on the grading of the final paper. Is a 70 set in stone? Is there no way to make a case for a grade of 71? If you graded the papers based on values of 5 (IE: 95,90,85 etc.) then I understand, and won’t bother you any further.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond,
AJ
Her response
None. 2 days without an email. It is at this point where I assume the conversation has ended.
Now what?
It is at this point where I was slightly tempted to send back a condescending email to my professor. Then I took a minute and realized that nothing good would come out of a sarcastic / negative email. I am going to wait to see my final grade, and no matter what grade I receive (most likely the C+) I will send my professor back and email thanking her for a great semester of academic learning.
What do you think of this approach? How would you handle the situation? Am I overreacting?
