academic honesty

All syllabi should reference the role of academic honesty in your course, your field, and at the University. At a minimum, syllabi should include the following:

  • A statement that students are expected to adhere to Bryant’s policy on Academic Honesty.
  • A link to the policy: Academic Regulations and Policies
  • An explanation of your approach to handling violations of the policy. For instance, students should be informed about whether you plan to be flexible with consequences or whether every infraction will be handled with the same consequence, and what that consequence is.

What should your academic honesty syllabus statement include?

Key Components of an Academic Honesty Statement on the Syllabus

  • Include a link to Bryant’s academic honesty policy from the catalog
  • Discuss the work your students will be expected to complete
  • Disucss specific ways in which you expect them to adhere to the policies in your specific class.
  • If applicable, discuss the guidelines of the course discipline in terms of using sources.
      • This may be the citation style used or other specifics in your field.
  • Outline the steps taken if academic dishonesty is suspected.
      • What will you, the instructor, do?
      • What is the range of consequences?
  • Include information on resources students can utilize for support in the class and to avoid academic dishonesty.

Below is an example of language to include in your syllabus:

Working in Groups

You are encouraged to work with others to understand material in this course. This means:

  • Reviewing readings together before class
  • Comparing way to organize reading notes and class notes
  • Asking classmates about concepts or words you find confusing Thinking through homework assignments together

Actions that will get you in trouble

Working in groups has its limits.  For instance, you can think through assignments with others, but the actual writing must be your own.  No two assignments ever have identical wording.  The topic of permissible and impermissible actions for the work you produce and submit is called “academic honesty.”

You are expected to conduct yourself in a manner that is fully consistent with Bryant’s Academic Honesty Policy (http://catalog.bryant.edu/undergraduate/academicregulationsandpolicies/).  Read this policy and read it carefully.

Any infraction of the Academic Honesty Policy, committed on purpose or inadvertently, will result in a penalty assessed by your instructor.  Such penalties may include being given a zero on the assignment and/or a penalty off your final course grade. 

If you have any questions about your actions or work, please seek the assistance of your instructor.  This may avoid a serious problem later on caused by sloppiness or lack of awareness.

other considerations

  • Course design. Why might a student act in an academically dishonest way in your course? What can you do to remove the incentive or opportunity for such an action?
  • Education vs punishment. How have you educated students as to appropriate and inappropriate actions for your course and field? What sorts of student actions warrant punishment, and what sort of punishment is appropriate?
  • Who are your students? If you are teaching first-year or international students, you have a particular responsibility to help them understand norms and expectations in college, in the U.S., and in your field. A purely punitive response to incidents of academic misconduct is not appropriate for this population. Find ways to scaffold student work so potential violations of the policy can be identified and addressed before they become actionable.
To further discuss how to handle and incentivize academic honesty in your course, please contact the CTE by emailing cte@bryant.edu.

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