The topic of plagiarism has been discussed in another thread but to avoid too much thread drift I am starting a new thread with my questions. Two scenarios. Scenario 1 A professor makes a point of lamenting the sad state of student writing. He requires a book for the class which he authored. He also requires a CD with chapters from a previous book he authored, among other things. Parts from the new book and the previous book are word for word the same. I am referring to paragraphs and pages, not key phrases or sentences. I am not questioning the professor authored both books. Is this plagiarism? Scenario 2 A student takes a class that requires a term paper. For various reasons does not complete the degree program but later enrolls in a similar program at a different institution. Would taking a paper written for a class in the first program and submitting it in a class of the second program be plagiarism? Assuming there is some updating of content but the paper is substantially the same, is it plagiarism? Incidentally, both scenarios are my first hand experience. A car accident prevented me from getting as far as the second term paper but I was undecided if I should begin anew.
An author may reuse his/her own works in many ways provided there is no contractual obligation covering restricted usage of those works. Authors essentially do this with each updated edition of a book. If different publishers are involved the issue of copyright ownership and contract comes into play. Even submitting the same article to two magazines is prohibited unless prior written consent from all parties is received. Personally, I would ask the permission of the instructor of the second course. However, unless your term paper was submitted to a "plagiarism verification service" - most of which are highly suspect in the terms and conditions - the chance of being caught double submitting is low. Ethics comes into play and is an individual choice. I refuse to submit my academic work to services such as TurnItIn simply because I own those works but the terms of use for TurnItIn essentially take away one's right to their own works. In my opinion, if an instructor does not take the time to learn the writing style of each student that instructor is negligent in the performance of their duties. My public school teachers could definitely pick up on someone trying to pass off someone else's work as their own; surely post-secondary instructors can do the same.
This issue is where most folks have lost in court to Turnitin. The students must acknowledge and agree to the Turnitin contract terms and conditions as a prerequisite to using the service. Law School blog I agree with several folks who have advocated suing the professor and the school for requiring the use. I'm having a tough time conceiving how the court could not see the commercial value of this service as it relates to the students works. Shakespeare was right...."'The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers'. ..."
I admit to having submitted my own paper twice for different courses. It's not really plagiarism, it's called "recycling" but is still considered academic dishonesty. However, I did make an "A" both times. It was a good paper!
In my opinion what you've authored, even what could be considered a revision, which occurs all the time, wouldn't be considered plagiarism, but perhaps I'm wrong. Someone correct me if so. Second scenario -- I have done this and it's my own work both times, including adding new material the 2nd time, so again, not plagiarism. Just my opinion, having been in several master's programs.
I've always thought that plagiarism was using someone else's stuff and claiming as your own. So using your own stuff twice shouldn't be plagiarism. Of course, if the first round was published I'd expect that the second round would include a citation.
I have never heard of this considered as academic dishonesty, and have had faculty members encourage me to recycle whenever it is appropriate. (One even saying I would be stupid not to do so.)
There is nothing wrong with it if your instructor says you can. But, see here: http://www.roosevelt.edu/plagiarism/default.htm
