Seminar in Ethics and Academic Integrity, University of Colorado at Boulder

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Syllabus & Content Outline

Originally prepared by: Jeffrey T. Luftig, Ph.D. Leeds School of Business

Please read this entire document carefully!

1. Purpose
To educate selected CU students about academic integrity; and generally, to increase the overall level of Academic Integrity and Honesty on the CU – Boulder campus.

2. Seminar Procedures, Grading Policies, and Related Issues
a) Students participating in this seminar have been enrolled as a non-academic sanction, applied by the CU Honor Council. However, during the conduct of the seminar, only first names of participants shall be used, and the specific violations of the CU Honor Code committed by participants shall not be discussed.

b) The seminar is offered on a non-credit basis only.

c) The seminar is offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. Each of the seminar requirements (which follow) will be individually graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Earning a ‘Pass’ for the entire seminar requires that all of the individual requirements have been successfully passed.

d) Students failing to successfully complete the seminar requirements will be subject to a one semester suspension, following all due process requirements. In the event that the first available seminar is during the final semester of a student’s academic career, the student will not be permitted to graduate until the seminar requirements are satisfied.

e) Any student participating in the seminar and found guilty (following all appropriate procedures detailed in the Honor Code Constitution and Bylaws) of violating the CU Honor Code in completing the seminar requirements will be subject to expulsion from the University.

3. Seminar Duration and Frequency
The seminar is offered in two meetings, of two hours each. However, there are a number of activities which must be completed outside of the formal presentation/discussion sessions.

4. Seminar Requirements and Associated Instructional Considerations
The seminar requirements are as follows:

a) Each student will attend each session (meeting) in totality. Failure to attend any or all of the seminar meetings shall result in a failing grade for the seminar, regardless of any other considerations.

b) Each student will complete all reading assignments associated with each of the meetings, prior to the meeting. A complete list of these reading assignments is below. Students are required to bring downloaded copies of each reading assignment, with answers to specific questions, to each seminar meeting as evidence of having completed the assigned pre-work. Failure to bring and submit this material to either seminar meeting shall constitute a ‘Failure’ for this requirement and subsequently, for the Seminar.

c) Each student will participate fully and positively in seminar discussions. Discussions will relate to the assigned readings and pre-work, and will be led by the Instructor and student Discussion Leaders. The Instructor shall assess each student’s participation in the two meetings.

d) Each student will complete an essay of 800-1000 words within five (5) days of the final seminar meeting. The essay must be on a topic related to Ethics and Integrity. The essay is to be typed, double-spaced, and submitted to the Instructor electronically (as an e-mail attachment). The Instructor will individually assign the topic for each student’s essay. The seminar Instructor will grade each essay.

e) Each student will pass a brief ‘final’ examination, testing his/her knowledge about the critical elements and contents of the CU Honor Code. The instructor will grade the examinations with assistance provided by designated students serving as Discussion Leaders.

5. Instructor
 

Office Hours Fall 2006: Tues/Thurs 11:30am-12:15 & 3.30-4.30pm

6. Lecture Topics & Associated Discussion Points

Prior to Session 1:

1. Review the CU Honor Code website.
2. Read the publication Making Ethical Decisions on the Josephson Institute of Ethics website. This publication constitutes the primary resource for the first seminar session.
3. Download and read the article Academic Dishonesty: the Social Implications from the Academic Integrity seminar website.
4. Download and read "Help Henry" from the University of Maryland Ethics website.
    
5. Bring a typed copy of your answers to the Session I Pre-Work Questions for submission to the instructor prior to the beginning of the session. This assignment is available on the Academic Integrity seminar website.

Session 1:
1. Introduction to the Seminar

• Syllabus
• Content Outline
• Essay
• Final Examination
• Support References

2. Presentation I: Ethics, Morals, and Academic Integrity (PowerPoint presentation residents on the Seminar website for future review)

Discussion Topics:

• What are ‘Ethics’? ‘Integrity’? How are these different from ‘Morals’?
• How do these concepts relate to models for ethical decision-making e.g. Kant’s Categorical Imperatives; the Golden Rule?
• What are the common rationalizations used for unethical behavior and academic dishonesty? Why are we here? Does behavior in one’s academic career carry forward into later life? Does anyone care?

Prior to Session II:
1. Access the CU Honor Code website. From this site, download, read and print the following materials:

• Definitions and Violations
• Honor Code Constitution
• Honor Code Bylaws
• Northwestern University’s Description of Plagiarism
• Discussion Points from the Seminar website:
  • Are Any of These Cheating?
  • Are Any of These Plagiarizing?

2. Download and read the article Academic Integrity: A Letter to My Students.

Bring a typed copy of your answers to the Session II Pre-Work Questions for submission to the instructor prior to the beginning of the session. The various answers are available by reading the information provided on the Academic Integrity seminar website.

Session II:
1. Presentation II: Elements and Contents of the CU Honor Code. PowerPoint presentation resident on the Seminar website for future reference; and review of the CU Honor Code Website.

2. Discussion Topics:

• What are the common elements of cheating and plagiarism? How are they different?
• What are the implications of the success of the CU Honor Code for the improvement of the quality of your academic career? What are the implications for you if the Code is a failure?
• In your opinion, how many of the “Are Any of These Cheating?” discussion points do not constitute a violation of the CU Honor Code?

In your opinion, how many of the “Are Any of These Plagiarizing?” discussion points do not constitute a violation of the CU Honor Code?

3. Final Examination & Essay Topic Assignments