Academic Dishonesty

Plagerism. I cover what it is in class. I tell people what the consequences are. I ask questions and get the proper responses. Yet...

I just read a paper from a student two other professors at school told me about (English comp and philosophy). Both told me that she has a habit of "borrowing" the work of other authors. Told me is very good at it. After being told this, I immediately forgot the student's name--not so much because I wanted to give her an even chance--but because I suck at remembering names.

This semester, I'm requiring the students to turn in their sources with their portfolios. This way, I can help them with citing and referencing, since this is often the most difficult part for my students.

So...

I start reading the paper, and in my first fast look through, I notice that there are the appropriate APA style in-line citations--check out the references page, and it looks pretty good--some minor problems, but easily solved. Back to the first page of text and reading for a score.

Very well written.

Exceptionally well written.

But--the citations in the text don't match those on the References page. I feel like I'm that kanagroo in the "End of the World" video Genghis Connee...erm...LaJaconde is so fond of..."WTF, mate?"

But, then, it gets even weirder...the paper takes a left turn and goes off into an area that Introduction to Psychology students wouldn't normally go...my writer starts discussing a totally different, but related concept that isn't discussed in my textbook and I don't cover in class...

It could be that she just lucked into it...but...that's why I have them include their sources...

I pull out the articles and it takes about five minutes, but I find every piece of information that I questioned. Every single piece lifted word-for-fucking-word. Including the in-line APA style citations.

Now, I dodn't remember if this is the student the other prof's warned me about...so, I give my bud a call and ask him...is this the chick?

Yup...it is.

Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Now, I have to decide just how I'm going to handle this other than reporting her to the dean. Do I fail her on this assignment...or...fail her for the class? I have the right to do both, and since she has a history of plagerism...I'd be well within my rights to do so...

smiling

I think I'll wait to see what how she reacts when I drop this on the desk on Tuesday.