Context

Academic honesty is a vague and confused topic for many beginning students.

• High schools often are relaxed in their discussion and practices.
• Various cultures may emphasize collaboration and team effort.
  • Students (and others) may work together on everything.
  • Goal of answer seems to be getting the answer, not individual learning.
  • Authorship and the development of ideas may not be a priority.

In Western culture (and certainly at Grinnell College),

• Collaboration has its place, BUT
• Individual work also is essential.
• Understanding includes the evolution of ideas
• Credit is given to people who discover or originate ideas

Goals of this Session

• Review basic policies and practices
• Explain how policies and practices apply in day-to-day academic work
• Describe processes and possible outcomes

Warning: Particular Relevance to International Students

• Concept of academic honesty often new and different
• Students may have to change past practices and work habits
• International students at Grinnell
  • Comprise about 12% of student population
  • Often earn high grades, BUT
  • Are involved with 40% of the cases of academic dishonesty

created 17 August 2013 last revised 20 August 2013

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