I invite you to read the attached scenario and then discuss who you feel has the most responsibility to the least responsibility and why you decided

OnCourse Late Paper Scenario

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

in her hands by noon 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 a “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 co-worker

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 refused. Instead

of feeling better, Arnold became 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 and Professor Freud refused to accept assignments sent by email.

Kim 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 classmates, drove up and invited Kim to join her and

some other student for an end-of-semester celebration. Kim told Cindy she was on her way to turn in

her term paper, and Cindy promised she’s make sure Kim got it in on time. “I deserve some fun,” Kim

decided, and hopped in 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 in relief when she found that Arnold had already

fallen asleep.

When Kim woke up, it was 11:30 a.m., just 30 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 drive 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

administrative assistant, 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.” 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 15 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 different score to each character. Be prepared to explain your choices.

Most Responsible ˃ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ˂ Least Responsible

___ Professor Freud, the instructor ___ Philip, Arnold’s co-worker

___ Kim, the psychology student ___ Cindy, Kim’s classmate

___ Arnold, Kim’s husband ___Mary, the administrative assistant

Diving Deeper. Is there someone not mentioned in the story who may also bear responsibility for

Kim’s failing grade?