First, perhaps one of the most important things is that (in my experience heading our teaching center), many faculty are unaware of university policy, do not follow that policy, and do not make sure that their course or dept. policies fit with in the university policies. Here at ISU, depending on a variety of factors, there are certain procedures we must or must not follow to protect students and faculty. We all need to know what those are.
Second, just as another example, here is the text in my senior experience/thesis syllabus (the focus is on plagiarism). I like to keep this short and assume students will be honest.
"Academic Honesty. It is assumed that you will all maintain academic honesty at all times. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated. All instances of suspected plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students Office, Community Rights and Responsibilities (http//www.crr.ilstu.edu) for action. See also the link to "academic honesty."
The Modern Language Association (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers) defines plagiarism as follows:
* repeating anothers sentences as your own,
* adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own,
* paraphrasing someone elses argument as your own,
* presenting someone elses line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own.
In short, to plagiarize is to give the impression that you have written or thought something that you have in fact borrowed from another. Writers may use another persons words and thoughts but must acknowledge them (from the ISU Undergraduate Catalog)."
Kathleen
At 11:48 AM 7/26/2005, Susan J St. John wrote:
I am very tough on plagiarism - I state that students may receive an
"F" for the course and prohibited from withdrawing, even it it is prior
to the last date for withdrawal with a "W." The administration
supports faculty assignment of penalty, if it is clearly stated on the
syllabus.
I have replaced some research paper assignments with portfolios that
involve many of the steps of a research paper which have been broken
into separate components of the portfolio. This works very well for
Social Problems and Family courses.
For Intro to Sociology, I have students analyze groups to which they
belong using sociological theory and concepts. In addition I usually
have students talk about the paper (10 minutes presentation) or do oral
debates.
Unfortunately, plagiarism is rampant and it has caused me to change my
assignments. I once received an electronic copy paper of a paper with
the Paper Store receipt still attached. The middle-aged, reentry
student argued that I was mistaken - it was the student's own work
until I mentioned that I knew it was purchased with Mastercard.
It is a great deal of work for faculty to monitor plagiarism - some
instutitions have enough librarians to help search "questionable
papers." We don't do that here. The students who cheat don't
necessarily fit any profile.
Susan St. John, Assoc. Prof. of Sociology
Corning Community College
laura kramer wrote:
>
>in addition to having a handout, on day one, with my policy, a
>dictionary definition of plagiarism, and a brief reference to my
>university's policy on it, ...and info about web page citation...i
>follow up with a statement at the bottom of the "Student Info Sheet"
>(where i find out a bit about student experience w/ Blackboard,
>emergency phone number, other soc courses taken, etc.) with a statement
>the student is asked, not required, to sign saying that s/he has read
>and understands the course policy on plagiarism. i got the ok of the
>(previous) dean of students - i was concerned that it might be seen as
>coercive to request that this statement be signed. students have never
>complained.
>
>i give them very little opportunity, nevertheless, and regret that i
>have decided to cut back on writing in order to avoid dealing w/
plagiarism.
>
>i'd like to see angus vail's materials. i am always finding more info
>is needed by students about just what is meant...
>
>laura
>
>beccahenthorn wrote:
>
>>I was just wondering how the rest of you guys deal with academic
>>dishonesty. Do you have a school wide or departmental policy? Do you
>>have a statement about academic dishonesty in your course syllabus, and
>>how is the student disciplined for such behaviors.
>>
>>Rebecca Henthorn
>>Murray State College
>>Tishomingo, OK 73460
>>http://mscok.edu/~bhenthorn
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Cross Endowed Chair in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Professor, Sociology
Box 3990
Illinois State University
Normal, Il 61790-3990
off 309-438-7706
fax 309-438-8788
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.ilstu.edu/~kmckinne/
