Learning discussion 1

Case Study in Critical Thinking: The Late Paper

Professor Freud announced in her syllabus for Psychology 101 that final term papers had to be

in her hands by noon on December 18. No student she emphasized would pass the course

without a completed term paper turned in on time. As the semester drew to a close, Kim had an

“A” average in Professor Freud’s psychology class, and she began researching her term paper

with excitement.

Arnold, Kim’s husband, felt threatened that he had only a high school diploma while his wife was

getting close to her college degree. Arnold worked the evening shift at a bakery, and his

coworker Philip began teasing that Kim would soon dump Arnold for a college guy. That’s when

Arnold started accusing Kim of having an affair and demanding she drop out of college. She told

Arnold he was being ridiculous. In fact, she said, a young man in her history class had asked her

out, but she had refused. Instead of feeling better, Arnold became even more angry. With Philip

continuing to provoke him, Arnold became sure Kim was having an affair, and he began telling

her every day that she was stupid and would never get a degree.

Despite the tension at home, Kim finished her psychology term paper the day before it was due,

Since Arnold had hidden the car keys, she decided to take the bus to the college and turn in her

psychology paper a day early. While she was waiting for the bus, Cindy, one of Kim’s

psychology class-mates, drove up and invited Kim to join her and some other students for an

end-of-semester celebration. Kim told Cindy she was on her way to turn in her term paper, and

Cindy promised she’d make sure Kim got it in on time. “I deserve some fun,” Kim decided, and

hopped into the car. The celebration went long into the night. Kim kept asking Cindy to take her

home, but Cindy always replied, “Don’t be such a bore. Have another drink.” When Cindy finally

took Kim home, it was 4:30 in the morning. She sighed with relief when she found that Arnold

had already fallen asleep.

When Kim woke up, it was 11:30 a.m., just thirty minutes before her term paper was due. She

could make it to the college in time by car, so she shook Arnold and begged him to driver her. He

just snapped, “Oh sure, you stay out all night with your college friends. Then, I’m supposed to get

up on my day off and drive you all over town. Forget it.” “At least give me the keys, “she said,

but Arnold merely rolled over and went back to sleep. Panicked, Kim called Professor Freud’s

office and told Mary, the secretary, that she was having car trouble. “Don’t worry,” Mary assured

Kim, “I’m sure Professor Freud won’t care if your paper’s a little late. Just be sure to have it here

before she leaves at 1:00 p.m.” Relieved, Kim decided not to wake Arnold again; instead, she

took the bus.

At 12:15, Kim walked into Professor Freud’s office with her term paper. Professor Freud said,

“Sorry, Kim, you’re fifteen minutes late.” She refused to accept Kim’s term paper and gave Kim

an “F” for the course.

Listed below are the characters in this story. Rank them in order of their responsibility for Kim’s

failing grade in Psychology 101. Give a different score to each character. Be prepared to explain

your choices.

Most responsible 1 2 3 4 5 6 Least Responsible

______Professor Freud, the teacher _______Phillip, Arnold’s coworker

______Kim, the psychology student _______Cindy, Kim’s classmate

______Arnold, Kim’s husband _______Mary, Prof. Freud’s secretary

DIVING DEEPER: Is there someone not mentioned in the story who might also bear

responsibility for Kim’s failing grade.

Source: Downing, S. (2011). On Course. Cengage Publishers