Series on Plagiarism to Educate and Entertain

01/13/2011 

During the spring semester, SUNY Cortland’s Writing Committee will host a series of four presentations and discussions on academic integrity, titled “Plagiarism and Its Just Desserts.”

The committee bases its theme on the following famous line from an anonymous 1599 play titled, A Warning Faire Women: “Upon a pillory — that al the world may see, A just desert for such impiety.”

The talks from 4:30-6 p.m. in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge are free and open to the public. Attendees will get what they deserve: a dessert reception of cakes, cookies and other sweets.

During the first presentation, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, a History Department faculty member and two librarians will address the topic of “Why Students Plagiarize and What Faculty Can Do About It.”

Gigi Peterson, assistant professor of history, will discuss “Bad Habits to Unlearn: New York State’s Regents Regime and Student Writing.” Daniel Harms, bibliographer and instructional services librarian at the College’s Memorial Library, will share his thoughts on “Academic Integrity and the New Media.” His talk will explore how electronic media has complicated the issue of plagiarism. Harms will explain the steps faculty can take to address academic integrity. Lorraine Melita, senior assistant librarian, will discuss “Electronic Media and Academic Faculty: New Technologies to Detect Plagiarism.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Distinguished Teaching Professor of English Mary Kennedy and graduate students in her class, Research in the Teaching of English, will present “Readin’, Writin’ and Cheatin’.” The discussion will focus on research on the prevalence of plagiarism and cheating in U. S. schools.

A panel of School of Arts and Sciences faculty members will discuss “Plagiarism: Is It a Professional or Moral Infraction?” on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Panelists will include Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, associate professor of philosophy and director the the Center for Ethics, Peace and Social Justice; Jerome O’Callaghan, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; and Kathryn Russell, professor and chair of the Philosophy Department.

Three faculty members will explore “Cultural Perspectives on Plagiarism” on Thursday, March 24, rescheduled from March 3, from 4:30-6 p.m. in Old Main G-10. The panel discussion features Linda Lavine, associate professor of psychology; Kathy Lattimore, lecturer in English; and Hongli Fan, assistant professor of French.

For more information, contact Mary Kennedy at (607) 753-2086.