RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY First-Year Seminar ...

Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
First-Year Seminar
Understanding the Bill of Rights
Course Information
Prerequisites and/or Co-requisites: First-time, first-year student status
Class Meeting Day(s), Time and Room Location: TBD
Instructor Information
Instructor's Name, Title: Ronni M. Bright, Esq.
Office Location & Phone No.: TBD
Office Hours: TBD
E-mail: rbright@ramapo.edu; ronni.bright@gmail.com
Mailbox Location: TBD
School Office Location: TBD
School Office Phone No.: TBD
Common Course Description
Designed for first-time, full-time, first-year students, First-Year Seminar (FYS) provides a comprehensive
introduction to college-level learning. Seminar courses are developed around an academic theme or topic
that is based on one of Ramapo College’s academic pillars. First-Year students will have the opportunity to
select a seminar that best suits their interests while learning about Ramapo’s academic foundation. The
First-Year Seminar course helps students in their transition from high school to college life both in and out
of the classroom. The common learning outcomes of FYS are: critical and creative thinking, college-level
writing, oral communication, information literacy, and technological competency. FYS classes are small to
emphasize open discussion and experiential learning within the context of the theme of the seminar course.
Peer facilitators play an essential role in each FYS class ensuring that first-year students have guidance
from a more experienced student. FYS is also the home of the Ramapo Summer Reading Program; all firstyear
students read the same book and discuss and write about it in their seminars. FYS encourages new
students to participate in a community of learners, to strengthen their critical thinking skills, and to
communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Course Description of this Section
The course ‘Understanding the Bill of Rights’ provides an introduction to the creation of the first ten
amendments of the U.S. Constitution (‘the Bill of Rights’) and a comprehensive understanding as to the
societal and legal influences that shaped the meaning and principals promoted by the Bill of Rights. The
required text for this course is In Our Defense, The Bill of Rights in Action, written by Ellen Alderman and
Caroline Kennedy. Students are expected to arrive to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings and
current legal and/or governmental events.
Course Goals
Through critical thinking and analysis, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of development
of the principals protected by the Bill of Rights. Additionally, students will become confident in
advocating by and through oral presentation. Students will have a comprehensive understanding of how to
conduct basic legal research using internet tools such as LexisNexis.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate the ability to think critically and X
X
Students creatively. will: Research Paper Class
discussions
Demonstrate proficiency in written
X
and X essays
communication.
Library
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Demonstrate proficiency in oral
communication.
Demonstrate information literacy and
technological competency.
Demonstrate the ability to conduct legal
research and analysis.
Demonstrate the ability to advocate by oral
presentation.
Demonstrate an understanding of the
development of the Bill of Rights.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Peer Facilitators
As an added resource for first-year students, each section of First-Year Seminar (FYS) will have a peer
facilitator. These upper-level students will attend FYS classes and assist the instructor with the academic
topics covered in this seminar. They will serve as discussion leaders on issues that pertain to your personal
and social development and they will facilitate weekly discussions on the class readings. Your peer
facilitator will be your mentor and will be available to you to provide guidance on navigating the different
personal and social hurdles that you may encounter in your first year at Ramapo.
First-Year Academic Advising
Each First-Year Seminar course is assigned a professional Academic Advisor from the Center for
Academic Advising and First-Year Experience (CAAFYE) who serves as your Academic Advisor during
your first year. This advisor will attend your First-Year Seminar class for a group advisement session to
review general academic advising policies and procedures. They will also be available to answer any
general questions regarding college policies/practices. Students are encouraged to schedule individual
appointments with their CAAFYE Advisor for assistance with course selection and the development of a
personal academic plan. If you have any questions regarding Academic Advisement please call CAAFYE
at (201) 684-7441 or via email at: caafye@ramapo.edu
Texts, Readings, Materials
Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy. In Our Defense, The Bill of Rights in Action. First Avon Books
Edition, 1992. Print. ISBN 0-380-71720-4 (pbk.)
New York Times
Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. Rules for Writers (7 th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012. Print.
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-64795-7.
Benjamin Nugent. American Nerd: The Story of My People. Scribner, June 2, 2009. Print. ISBN-
139780743288026; ISBN-100743288025
Course Requirements:
Classroom Participation – Students are expected to participate in class discussions on the
assigned readings and current legal and/or governmental events. Students will be required to
make an oral presentation correlating the assigned reading to a current event of their choice.
Writing Assignments –
Students will be expected to prepare:
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
After the first week of class, students will be assigned for completion a 1-2 page essay discussing
the American Nerd: The Story of My People, post first week class discussion. Students are
expected to compare and contrast their thoughts and feelings about the summer reader as they
existed prior to the class discussion and as they existed after the class discussion. Students should
be mindful to use proper punctuation and grammar.
After the convocation and address by Benjamin Nugent, students will be assigned for completion a
2-3 page essay discussing the summer reader post convocation. In the essay, students must
identify how society has come to define a ‘nerd’ and use their critical thinking skills to express
why or not societal and/or cultural influences that have shaped the meaning of ‘the American
Nerd’ are positive and/or negative. Students are expected to provide detailed analysis and to use
American Nerd: The Story of My People to support their analysis. Students are expected to follow
the APA citation format.
As a part of the Course Enrichment Component of FYU, students will be assigned for completion
a 3-5 page essay in which they must explain the legislative process of how a Bill becomes law and
use their creative thinking skills to create a proposed Bill. Students will be expected to use case
law and/or the Constitution to support their proposed Bill. Students are expected to use legal
citation format using case law and/or the Constitution to support their proposed Bill. Those
students who wish to earn extra credit may identify and contact their local congress woman and/or
man and inquire of the congress man and/woman their thoughts on the ideals promoted by the
student’s proposed Bill. Those students who wish to gain extra credit should speak with the
Professor first and will be expected to share with the class the outcome of their contact with their
local congress man and/or woman.
Students will be required to complete a final paper outline and 1-2 page summary of their selected
thesis. The outline should identify the introduction, body and conclusion of the student’s final
paper.
Students will be required to complete the bibliography page of their final. Prior to this assignment
the class will discuss the meaning and purpose of the bibliography page and have the opportunity
to utilize the library for additional assistance.
Students will be required to complete a final paper (7-10 pages). A list of preselected topics will
be provided to students. Students may select one of the provided topics or they may submit a
topic of their choosing for approval. Students will be required to use APA format when citing to
literature. Students will be required to use case law and the Bill of Rights to support their thesis.
All reference to case law and the Bill of Rights must include proper legal citation.
Examinations, Laboratory/Studio, Library Research –
Students will be required to go to the Library and receive training on legal research using
LexisNexis.
Students will be required to go to the Library identify and select the written materials they will use
to support the thesis of their final paper. Students must make create the bibliography page for
their final paper after having selected said written materials. The bibliography must be prepared
using APA format.
Course Enrichment Component – Each course will include a minimum of five (5) hours of
unmonitored appropriate experience outside of the classroom. For this component of FYS,
students are required to schedule a visit to the New Jersey State House. A class trip will be
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
scheduled, however, if students are unable to attend the scheduled class trip they will have to make
arrangements to visit the New Jersey State House on their own time. The class trip to the State
House will expose students to the workings of New Jersey’s state government and how bills
become laws in the state of New Jersey. This experience will enhance students understanding of
how proposed legislation becomes law within our society and more specifically in the state of
New Jersey.
Students will be assigned for completion a 3-5 page essay in which they must explain the
legislative process of how a Bill becomes law and use their creative thinking skills to create a
proposed Bill. Students will be expected to use case law and/or the Constitution to support their
proposed Bill. Students are expected to use legal citation format using case law and/or the
Constitution to support their proposed Bill.
General Education Program Course
This course fulfills the First-Year Seminar category of the general education curriculum at Ramapo
College. Common to all First-Year Seminar (FYS) courses, you will develop critical thinking skills that are
basic to college level study, regardless of your area of interest. You will be reading, writing, and
participating in thoughtful group discussions with the aim of developing the skills of a scholar. You will
learn to support your arguments using a foundation of knowledge and facts rather than simply using
personal opinions and experiences. The course ‘Understanding the Bill of Rights’ fulfills the experiential
learning component of the FYS categories. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Bill of
Rights and experience the legislative process through the required trip the New Jersey State House.
Writing Intensive (WI) Course Writing will be integrated into the life of this course. You will receive
comments, direction, and support as you work on strengthening your writing skills. Your writing will be
evaluated and returned in a timely fashion, allowing you to incorporate my comments into your future
work. For help outside the classroom, please see me during my office hours and/or work with a writing
tutor in the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW), Room: E-230, x7557, cas@ramapo.edu.
Weekly Class Schedule
For each class meeting, indicate date, topic and required readings and assignments. Indicate due dates for
papers, assignments, quizzes, and exams where possible. With as much detail as possible, a syllabus will
provide students with a sense of the course's structure and sequence so that they can perceive a relationship
between the goals of the course and the topics of materials to be covered. The calendar should include
notice of when exams are to be given, or are due, or conferences to be held. The calendar should also
include important deadlines such as add/drop, withdrawal, and incomplete requests. The ARC reminds
faculty that tests/quizzes may not be is updated prior to the start of semester to show the Final Exam
schedule for the upcoming semester.
Week 1
Topic of class discussion: American Nerd: The Story of My People.
Research Topics
In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action.; Pgs. 13-54.
New York Times. Select and read an article from the ‘Politics’ and/or
‘Technology’ section of the New York Times. Be prepared to discuss the
impact 1) freedom of speech and 2) freedom of press has had on the topic of
your selected article.
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Written Assignment:
Write a 1-2 page paper. Discuss how Benjamin Nugent defines the evolution of
the term ‘Nerd’. Discuss how reading American Nerd: The Story of My People
has impacted your understanding of the meaning of the term ‘Nerd’ as used in
American culture and society. This assignment must be handed in at the next
class meeting.
Week 2
Topic of class discussion: Freedom of Speech
Missouri Knights of the Ku Klux Klan v. Kansas City
Freedom of Press:
United States v. The Progressive
Current Events: Class discussion on the student selected New York Times
article(s) and their relation to ‘Freedom of Speech’ and ‘Freedom of Press’.
Oral presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by
the plaintiff and/or defendants in Missouri Knights of the Ku Klux Klan v.
Kansas City and/or United States v. The Progressive. A brief class discussion
will be held after the student presentations.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 59-88.
New York Times. Select and read an article from the ‘World’ section of the
New York Times. Be prepared to the affect the selected reading has on
American society.
Written Assignment: Prepare a 1 page paper discussing the importance of 1) Freedom of Speech or 2)
Freedom of Press. Be mindful of proper grammar and punctuation. This
assignment must be handed in at the next class meeting.
September 21 st , 2011
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Week 3
Topic of class discussion: Convocation Benjamin Nugent
APA Format
Freedom of Religion
Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery
Freedom of Assembly
Hobson v. Wilson
Current Events: Class discussion on the student selected New York Times
article(s) and their relation to ‘Freedom of Religion’ and/or ‘Freedom of
Assembly’.
Oral presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by
the plaintiff and/or defendants in Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery and/or
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Hobson v. Wilson. A brief class discussion will be held after the student
presentations.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 91-111.
New York Times. Select and read any article from the New York Times. Be
prepared to discuss your thoughts on the selected article.
Written Assignment:
Prepare a 2-3 page paper discussing how society has come to define a ‘nerd’ and
express why or not societal and/or cultural influences that have shaped the
meaning of ‘the American Nerd’ are positive and/or negative. Use American
Nerd: The Story of My People to support your analysis and cite same using the
APA format. This assignment must be handed in at the next class meeting.
Week 4
Library Research Workshop:
Introduction to library resources including useful library databases,
book and journal holdings. Additionally students will be introduced to
web-based resources including LexisNexis (web based legal research
tool).
After the workshop students are to research their selected research topic
and to identify those resources which will be used to support the thesis
of the student’s selected research topic.
Students will not be assigned reading as a means of allowing them to
use their time to complete thorough research on their research topics.
Students should come to the week 5 class with a 1 page summary of
their thesis and an outline for the final paper.
Week 5
Topic of class discussion:
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms:
Quilici v. Morton Grove
Current Events: Selected student presentations on the student selected
New York Times article(s).
Research Topic: Discuss research, outlines, and bibliography pages.
This is an opportunity for students to raise any concerns they have with
respect to the Final paper.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 115-144.
Research Assignment:
Students must find a partner and together use LexisNexis to research New Jersey
case law and find an opinion on that discusses the Fourth Amendment.
Students should be prepared for the week 6 class, to represent the positions of
the prosecution and defense in their selected case law.
Week 6 Class
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Topic of class discussion: Unreasonable Search and Seizure: McSurely v. McClellan
Class presentations: Student partners will represent the positions of
plaintiff/prosecutor and defense in their selected case.
Legal citation format
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 147-165.
Written Assignment:
Prepare a 2-3 page memorandum discussing the case law you presented to the
class. The memorandum should make the reader aware of what the issue was
before the Court and include the position taken by the prosecutor and defense
with respect to said issue; the conclusion of the opinion rendered by the Court
and the Court’s reasoning for its conclusion. Students must cite to the case law
and use proper legal citation format. This assignment must be handed in at the
next class meeting.
Week 7
Academic Advisement Session:
A member of the Center for Academic Advisement will make a
presentation to class that is designed to aide students in selecting
courses for their spring semester.
Assigned Reading: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 167-188.
Week 8
Topic of class discussion: Right Against Self Incrimination
Baltimore City Department of Social Services v. Bouknight
Due Process of Law:
Fuentes v. Shevin
Class presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by
either the plaintiff and/or defendants in Baltimore City Department of Social
Services v. Bouknight and/or Fuentes v. Shevin. A brief class discussion will be
held after the student presentations.
Final paper: discussion on Bibliography page.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 189-205.
Written Assignment:
Prepare the Bibliography of your final paper. The Bibliography page must
follow APA format. This assignment must be handed in at the next class
meeting.
Week 9
Topic of class discussion: “Takings Clause” – Fifth Amendment
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Poletown Neighborhood Council v. Detroit
Final paper: Open discussion.
Reading Assignment:
Written Assignment:
In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 209-242. For the next class,
Students should be to present the positions of the prosecutor or defense from the
assigned reading.
Prepare the introduction of your final paper. Use proper APA format.
This assignment must be handed in at the next class meeting.
Week 10
Topic of class discussion: Right to an Impartial Jury
Machetti v. Linahan
Right to Confront
Coy v. Iowa
Class presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by either the prosecution
and/or defendants in Machetti v. Linahan and/or Coy v. Iowa. A brief class discussion
will be held after the student presentation. A brief class discussion will be held after
the student presentations.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 243-272.
Written Assignment: Prepare the conclusion of your final paper
Week 11
Topic of class discussion: Right to Compulsory Process
In re Myron Farber
Right to Counsel
United States v. Cronic
Class presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by
the plaintiff and/or defendant in United States v. Cronic. A brief class
discussion will be held after the student presentation. A brief class discussion
will be held after the student presentations.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 273-311.
Week 12
Topic of class discussion: Right to a Civil Jury: “Complexity”
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Tison v. Arizona
Class presentations: Students will be selected to present the positions taken by
the plaintiff and/or defendant in Tison v. Arizona. A brief class
discussion will be held after the student presentation.
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 313 - 323.
Written Assignment: Students are expected to continue to work on developing their papers and come to
the week 14 class with any concerns and/or questions. Have a good recess!!
Week 13 Thanksgiving recess (Wednesday, 11/23 rd – Saturday, 11/26 th )
Week 14
Topic of class discussion: Rights Retained by the People: Privacy
Guest Speaker: Daryl Williams, Esq.
Reading Assignment: In Our Defense. The Bill of Rights in Action; Pgs. 325-337.
New York Times: Students are to select and read an article that relates to their
research topic. Students should be prepared to discuss the article and its relation to
their research topic at the week 15 class.
Written Assignment: Students are expected to continue to work on developing their papers and come to
the week 15 class with any concerns and/or questions.
Week 15
Topic of class discussion: Powers Reserved to the States: Minimum Wage
Class presentations: Students will present their selected articles and discuss
their relation to their research topic.
Final paper: Open discussion on any outstanding concerns relating to the final
paper.
Final Exam Week
Final paper due on or before December 21, 2012.
Important Dates
First Day of Classes: September 1 st
Last day for Schedule Adjustments (on the Web): September 12 th
Last day to withdraw from courses with “W” grade: October 27 th
Thanksgiving Recess: Nov 23 rd - 26 th
Reading Day (no classes): December 14 th
Final Exam Week: December 15 th – 21 st
Common Finals: December 17 th
Last day to request “I” grades: December 21 st
Residence Halls close (6pm): December 21 st
Final Exam Snow Make-Up Day: December 22 nd
Grading Policy
• Final Paper 50% of overall grade.
• Written Assignments 30% of overall grade
• Oral presentations 20% of overall grade
• Grading System:
o A = 95-100 %
o A- = 90-94%
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
o B+ = 89-87
o B = 86-84
o B- = 83-80
o C+ = 79-77
o C = 76-74
o C- = 73-70
o D = 69-65
o F = 64 and below
o I = The course policy for Incomplete grades is the same the Ramapo
College’s Incomplete grading policy.
• Any assignment turned in late will have 10 points deducted from the overall grade for each late day.
Attendance Policy
• Students are expected to arrive to class on time. There is no penalty for being late or absent,
however, students will be expected to make up any missed work and be prepared for the next
class. College policy states that students must notify faculty within the first three weeks of the
semester if they anticipate missing any classes due to religious observance.
Electronic Forms of Communication In accordance with College policy, I will use your Ramapo College
email address (@ramapo.edu) to communicate with you about all course-related matters.
Students with Disabilities If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a disability that
has been documented with the Office of Specialized Services, please make an appointment with me.
Please note: Students must be registered with the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) to receive
accommodations. For additional information, contact the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) at x7514 or
email at oss@ramapo.edu.
Policy on Academic Integrity
Students are expected to read and understand Ramapo College’s academic integrity policy, which can be
found in the Ramapo College Catalog. Members of the Ramapo College community are expected to be
honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Students who violate this policy will be required to meet
with the faculty member and/or will be referred to the Office of the Provost. An abbreviated version of this
policy is described below.
Policy
All members of the Ramapo community are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic
endeavors. Since violations of academic integrity erode community confidence and undermine
the pursuit of truth and knowledge at the College, academic dishonesty must be avoided.
Procedures
The Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs has the responsibility for the
oversight and enforcement of the academic integrity policy and for making the policy an
institutional priority. The Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs is also
responsible for publishing the policy and for educating both faculty and students about the policy.
Faculty members play a crucial role in the academic integrity policy. They are responsible for
educating their students about the importance of academic integrity and for communicating to
students their expectations with respect to academic integrity in course work.
Students have the responsibility to understand the College academic integrity policy and to
comply with the policy in all their academic work.
Criteria
There are four broad forms of academic dishonesty:
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
1. Cheating
Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents his or her mastery of material on
a test or other academic exercise. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:
• copying from another student's work;
• allowing another student to copy his/her work;
• using unauthorized materials such as a textbook, notebook or electronic devices during an
examination;
• using specifically prepared materials such as notes written on clothing or other
unauthorized notes, formula lists, etc., during an examination;
• collaborating with another person during an examination by giving or receiving
information without authority;
• taking a test for another person or asking or allowing another to take the student’s own
test.
2. Plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when a person represents someone else's words, ideas, phrases, sentences, or
data as one's own work. When a student submits work that includes such material, the source of
that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific footnote
references; additionally, verbatim statements must be acknowledged through quotation marks.
To avoid a charge of plagiarism, a student should be sure to include an acknowledgment of
indebtedness:
• whenever he or she quotes another person's words directly;
• whenever he or she uses another person's ideas, opinions, or theories, even if they have
been completely paraphrased in one's own words;
• whenever he or she allows another individual to contribute to the work in some
significant fashion (for instance, through editing, or sharing of ideas);
• whenever he or she uses facts, statistics, or other illustrative material taken from a source,
unless the information is common knowledge.
Examples of standard citation formats can be found on the Library Website: Citation Manuals and
Style Guides.
3. Academic Misconduct
Academic Misconduct includes the alteration of grades, involvement in the acquisition or
distribution of unadministered tests, and the unauthorized submission of student work in more
than one class. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:
• changing, altering, falsifying, or being the accessory to the changing, altering, or
falsifying of a grade report or form or other academic record, or entering any computer
system, College office or building for that purpose;
• stealing, buying, selling, giving way, or otherwise obtaining all or part of any
unadministered test or entering any computer system, College office or building, for the
purpose of obtaining an unadministered test;
• submitting written work (in whole or in significant part) to fulfill the requirements of
more than one course without the explicit permission of both instructors;
• disregarding policies governing the use of human subjects or animals in research;
• sabotaging another student’s work through actions designed to prevent the student from
successfully completing an assignment;
• knowingly facilitating a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy by another person.
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Fall 2012 Course Syllabus INTD 101-08 4 Credits
4. Fabrication
Fabrication refers to the deliberate use of invented information or the falsification of research or
other findings with the intent to deceive. Examples of fabrication include, but are not limited to:
• citation of information not taken from the source indicated;
• listing of sources in a “works cited” that were not used in that project;
• altering, stealing and/or falsifying research data used in research reports, theses, or
dissertations;
• submission as one's own of any academic work prepared in whole or in part by others,
including the use of another’s identity;
• falsifying information or signatures on registration, withdrawal, or other academic forms
and records.
More on academic integrity can be found here:
http://www.ramapo.edu/catalog_11_12/academic-policies.html?col10=open#CollapsiblePanel10
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