Any suspected instance of plagiarism will be handled in accordance with the University’s policy on academic dishonesty. A single instance of significant plagiarism is grounds for failing this course. That said, the idea of originality is a historically and culturally contingent concept. Therefore, we will devote time in-class to discussion of originality vs appropriation. As per the University’s Honor Code, you must do your own original work in this class–and appropriately identify that portion of your work which is 1) collaborative with others, 2) borrowed from others and 3) your own work from other contexts* (you cannot reuse an essay written for another class).
The university defines plagiarism as follows:
A student will have committed plagiarism if he or she reproduces someone else’s work without acknowledging its source; or if a source is cited which the student has not cited or used. Examples of plagiarism include: submitting a research paper obtained from a commercial research service, the Internet, or from another student as if it were original work; making simple changes to borrowed materials while leaving the organization, content, or phraseology intact; or copying material from a source, supplying proper documentation, but leaving out quotation marks. Plagiarism also occurs in a group project if one or more of the members of the group does none of the group’s work and participates in none of the group’s activities, but attempts to take credit for the work of the group. (13-14)
If you have doubts about whether or not you are using your own or others’ writing ethically, legally, or correctly, ask the professor. Follow this primary principle: If in doubt, ask. Be up front and honest about what you are doing and about what you have contributed to an assignment.