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opinion
Historian's plagiarism
a slight to all writers
Plagiarism is one
of the hottest issues facing the academic community. Almost
every syllabus and every university's code of conduct contain
stipulations regarding plagiarism and the punishment for plagiarizing.
The consequences can range from failing a paper or exam to expulsion
from school. But after leaving a university a writer faces few
consequences for passing off another's work as his own.
Recently, accomplished historian Stephen Ambrose's writing has
come under the scrutiny of the plagiarism police.
In his most recent work, "The Wild Blue," Ambrose
has been accused of copying sentences and passages almost verbatim
from another work on WWII aviators by historian Thomas Childers.
The irony of the situation is that Childers himself discovered
the error while reading "The Wild Blue."
After the first accusation, passages in at least four other
Ambrose books were found to have been lifted from previous works
by other authors.
Ambrose asserts that he footnoted all of his sources but in
the heat of the moment he may have forgotten to use quotation
marks.
Strangely, the
passages that Ambrose plagiarized aren't mere statements of
fact, but elegantly written bits of prose that describe small
events and feelings.
It seems they were lifted more for their stylistic merit than
for their fact-based foundation.
The biggest problem with this whole affair is the total lack
of punishment that Ambrose is facing. Aside from losing face
and a promise to fix the passages in new additions, Ambrose
will see very little consequence for his actions.
Plagiarism of this magnitude at Cal State Long Beach could
result in outcomes of varying degrees.
An instructor could give an oral reprimand, fail the student
for the assignment or class or, in the worst case, the instructor
could refer the student to the Office of Judicial Affairs
for review.
Judicial Affairs could then clear the student or punish him
with probation, suspension or expulsion.
A student accused of plagiarism is afforded the right to have
his or her case reviewed by the Academic Integrity Council
who will determine the degree of the infraction and help decide
what sort of action is necessary.
The idea is that plagiarism at the university level is viewed
as a much more serious affair then it is in the real world.
Ambrose may have lost some face but he is so well respected
that his career will hardly be tarnished. Someone who plagiarizes
at an earlier stage may have his or her academic career ruined.
Plagiarism should be taken much more seriously outside of
academics. If plagiarism on Ambrose's level could be taken
so lightly then it may help tarnish the academic freedom that
is held dear by all.
Greg Smith is a print journalism major at Cal State Long
Beach.
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