Department of History

2. PLAGIARISM AND ILLEGAL USE OF MATERIAL

Because the discipline of history relies so heavily on the writings of other people, a clear understanding of how to cite sources and the definition of plagiarism is essential to a student's success. The Internet has added several new types of source material. While this is a very exciting development, it also challenges historians to stay current with citation information and the evolving meaning of "source material." Most students and professors are used to thinking about an academic source of information as a written document. The late twentieth century has added several mediums to the list of materials, like photographs (including visual images of written material, such as an image of a page in a diary), sound recordings, films, video recordings, broadcast material, and multi-media presentations, all of which are now accessible as historical evidence. Anytime a history scholar uses evidence in a paper or a muti-media presentation not generated wholly by the author, the author must cite the information.

"Your research paper is a collaboration between you and your sources. To be fair and ethical, you must acknowledge your debt to the writers of these sources. If you do not you are guilty of plagiarism, a serious academic offense."

The following was taken from the 98-99 Course Bulletin for CU Colorado Springs, Volume 19, Number 3, June 1998. General Series number 98:

"As members of the academic community, students have equivalent responsibility with the faculty for study and learning and for conducting themselves with academic integrity in the manner compatible with the University's function as an educational institution. Academic honesty and integrity are vital elements of a dynamic academic institution. The responsibility for ethical conduct rests with each individual faculty member of the academic community-students, faculty, and staff.

CU-Colorado Springs has an on-going commitment to maintain and encourage academic integrity. Therefore, the University has created a set of standards of academic honesty and procedures governing violations of these principles. Copies of the Academic Honor Code document may be obtained at the various schools/colleges, from the office of Student Life, or from the Vice Chancellor's office.

Definition of Plagiarism:

Use of distinctive ideas or words belonging to another person, without adequately acknowledging that person's contribution.

Cheating:

Intentionally possessing, communicating, using, or attempting to use unauthorized (by the instructor) materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices, in any academic exercise.

Fabrication and Falsification:

Intentional and unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

Multiple Submission:

Submission or substantial portions or either written or oral academic work which has previously earned credit, when submission is made without instructor authorization.

Misuse of Academic Materials:

Intentionally or knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible, library, or other academic resource material.

Complicity in Academic Dishonesty:

Intentionally or knowingly contributing to the academic dishonesty of another.

Unauthorized Collaboration:

Taking someone else ideas during a discussion or from a lecture without citing the individual and the circumstances of the lecture or discussion.

These examples of academic dishonesty shall not be construed to be comprehensive, and infractions will be dealt with on an individual basis. It is the obligation of each student to assist in the enforcement of academic standards; infractions-whether by students or faculty should be brought to the attention of the instructor.

Detailed instructions about reporting a suspected infraction; appealing an alleged infraction; and sanctions for an infraction are outlined in the UCCS Academic Honor Code document. Questions about the academic honor code should be addresses to the office of Student Life, Room 19 Cragmor Hall, 262-3264." (Bolding added for emphasis.)

Proper Citation Procedures

This handbook deals specifically with the special citation needs of the Internet. Individual professors have the right to assign whatever citation style they prefer. Always check with the professor if you have any questions regarding use of information or proper citation guidelines. For written materials, please see the following citation guides:

• Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 5th edition and later.
        Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987.
  
  
• University of Chicago Press, Chicago Guide to Preparing Electronic Manuscripts: For Authors and
        Publishers, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987 and later.
  
  

An excellent discussion of the proper citing of materials off the Internet was written by Melvin Page for the University of Michigan's H-net and is available at http://h-net2.msu.edu/~africa/citation.html.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Official Policy

The Administrative Policy Statement for the University of Colorado System can be accessed on line at http://www.cusys.edu/~policies/Academic/misconduct.html.