OU student claims bad grade is an attack on her faith

A University of Oklahoma psychology pupil is challenging a failing grade after submitting a gender roles reflection essay that heavily referenced the Bible sparking debate over free speech academic standards and the role of personal belief in college coursework Samantha Fulnecky a junior psychology major submitted a word reaction paper in a class assignment asking students to reflect on societal expectations of gender and children The instructions allowed students to incorporate personal experience or perspective but emphasized thoughtful engagement with the original article Fulnecky s essay instead leaned heavily on biblical teachings to argue for traditional gender roles without citing empirical research or quoting specific scripture Start your day with essential news from Salon Sign up for our free morning newsletter Crash Module The graduate assistant grader gave the essay a zero noting that it contradicts itself heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence and contains passages that are offensive The participant alleges the failing grade amounts to religious discrimination and a violation of her free-speech rights She has appealed the grade and contacted state agents and religious-freedom advocates University faculty and academic observers note that while students have a constitutional right to express personal beliefs instructors have the authority to assess assignments on their academic merit In a social-science class like psychology coursework is expected to demonstrate critical thinking and engagement with empirical evidence Fulnecky s reliance on personal ideology rather than scholarly reasoning has drawn attention as a expected academic concern beyond the free-speech debate The event highlights the complex balance in populace universities between protecting students right to express beliefs and maintaining rigorous academic standards particularly when assignments require scientific reasoning OU has not publicly commented beyond acknowledging the grade appeal process Read more about this topic The Christian right proposes marriage equality is persecution Alito s cries of religious persecution are a chilling preview of Supreme Court in another Trump term Marco Rubio s hunt for anti-Christian bias is creeping theocracy The post OU participant suggests bad grade is an attack on her faith appeared first on Salon com