I know, I know.  It’s very tempting to let the robot write your paper.  The robot does not make grammar mistakes.  It doesn’t take up half your Saturday for a measly two paragraphs.  It might even seem like the robot is better at this whole writing thing than you are.  BUT—there is one thing the robot can’t do, and that’s explore the inside of your brain, your values, your insights, your point of view.  Nobody can be you but you. And ultimately, that’s what we are here for.  Not to make “perfect” essays, or have the right answers.  We are here to practice how to find information, think through ideas, and express ourselves. If you let the robot do that for you, not only are you wasting your money and time, but you are also missing the chance to find out what you are made of. 

In other words: The use of generative AI tools or apps for assignments in this course, including tools like ChatGPT and other AI writing or coding assistants, is prohibited.

The short definition of plagiarism is copying. It is a form of stealing, and show disrespect of the author, your teacher, and yourself. This definition of plagiarism is borrowed from the PCC Academic Integrity Code of Conduct: “the use of another's words, ideas, data, or product without appropriate acknowledgment, such as copying another's work, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one's own, or working jointly on a project and then submitting it as one's own.”

Plagiarism includes: 1. submitting an essay you wrote for another class 2. submitting someone else’s work 3. submitting work created by an AI or online source.  If I suspect plagiarism in your writing, I will openly discuss it with you. If the plagiarism was accidental or a result of just not knowing how to cite, I’ll work with you to revise and resubmit.  Otherwise, a plagiarized assignment will be counted as “not submitted” and cannot be made up.

It is usually very easy to tell if something is plagiarized. This is because the writing is often drastically different from how you speak or write, and it stands out. It’s not helpful to pass a class with AI-generated content because then you haven’t learned the skills that help you move beyond using AI. You’re stuck with using it for the future, because you never learned how to write without it. If you want to succeed in school and in life, putting in the sweat is what’s going to get you there. There are no shortcuts.