The Brock University GEOG 2P50 Final Examination in 2011 composed by Gerry Legare was not an accurate assessment of student comprehension of core concepts of the course, but rather a deliberate attempt to decrease the overall grade average for the class. The multiple choice section which accounted for 5/6 of the total marks consisted of questions requiring knowledge of obscure statistical data such as percentages, obscure historical facts, and a overall focus on concepts which were not communicated to be central concepts of the course. Examples of such questions include, "What is the fourth largest CMA in Canada?," or "How Many First Nations are there in British Columbia?". Not having a copy of the exam limits the ability to recall specific questions, however these examples represent the obscure nature of such questions and irrelevance to core concepts of the course which severely limited the ability of students to correctly answer.
    As student's we feel misled as to what the content of the exam would entail as there was no mention, either verbally or written, that we were required know such data. Professor Legare specifically made a comment in lecture that this exam would be significantly more difficult because marks on the midterm were so high. The purpose of an exam should not be to control marks, but to accurately assess the comprehension of students which we feel has not been done. This is not simply "sour grapes" from students who did not do well on the exam, but a class wide sentiment that the examination in the GEOG 2P50 was not an accurate assessment of course material comprehension. We would like to request that this examination be reviewed by the Geography Department and that the marks be adjusted accordingly or students given an opportunity to write an examination that is an accurate reflection of their comprehension. Many students have important future goals riding on their academic performance and measures need to be taken by Brock University to ensure that the practices of it's employees and faculty members are fair and equitable. Students are constantly reminded that they are expected to adhere to Brock's policies governing integrity of their work, specifically plagiarism, and Professors must be held to the same standard of integrity and accountability. This final examination was the culmination of much frustration regarding the grading and structure of the course and it is the hope of all students that this will not go unnoticed by Brock University Administration.

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