Plagiarism

The University is committed to academic excellence and high standards of ethical behaviour as the cornerstones of scholastic achievement and quality assurance. The University requires all students to act honestly, ethically and with integrity in their dealings with the University, its employees, members of the public and other students. To this end, the Vice-Chancellor on 15 February 2005 approved a new policy on plagiarism. This policy is now in force and the procedures set out in it must be followed in all cases.

All staff and students should read the policy on plagiarism: 'Student Plagiarism: Coursework' (this link opens a PDF file of the policy) and ensure that they fully comprehend it since it imposes obligations on both staff and students.

The policy includes a pro-forma compliance statement that students must sign and submit with all pieces of work for assessment, presentation or publication in accordance with clause 8 of the policy.

You must, with all pieces of assessment that you hand for any units within the School of Languages and Cultures, attach an:

• Assessment Coversheet

This coversheet includes the pro forma declaration stating that you certify that:

• you have read and understood the University of Sydney Student Plagiarism: Coursework Policy and Procedure;
• you understand that failure to comply with the Student Plagiarism: Coursework Policy and Procedure can lead to the University commencing proceedings against you for potential student misconduct under Chapter 8 of the University of Sydney By-Law 1999 (as amended);
• the Work is substantially your own, and to the extent that any part of the Work is not your own have indicated that it is not your own by Acknowledging the Source of that part or those parts of the Work.

Download the School of Languages and Cultures assessment coversheet.

Plagiarism is a serious matter in the world of scholarship. You should therefore be especially careful to acknowledge all word-for-word quotations and to acknowledge your use of the ideas and methods of others as well as their words. Plagiarism is not avoided by of making an unacknowledged summary of another’s ideas or by making minor alterations to an otherwise directly quoted text.

Please note the following excerpt from the Faculty of Arts draft guidelines on plagiarism:

“In the course of academic life plagiarism appears both in the taking of the work of acknowledged scholars as well as in the taking of the work of peers, particularly other students. Plagiarism is a form of theft and a form of fraud. It constitutes an academic offence.”

Plagiarism has ruined reputations, brought about lawsuits, and led to the failing of honours and postgraduate theses. You should note that action of some kind will be taken on every occasion that an instance is discovered.