AI Tools and Academic Integrity Policy

Use of AI Tools in This Course

Interpersonal Communication is a skills-based course. Many assignments require personal examples, observation, reflection, and communication practice. Your work must reflect your own experiences, voice, and learning.

General Rule

All submitted work must be your own original work. You may use AI tools in limited ways to support learning, but you may not use AI to generate your assignment responses.

Acceptable AI Use (Allowed)

You may use AI tools for:

• brainstorming possible topics or examples (you still choose and write your own)

• creating an outline or organizing ideas

• clarifying textbook concepts or definitions

• grammar and sentence-level editing of your own writing

• translation support (your ideas must remain your own)

Unacceptable AI Use (Not Allowed)

You may not use AI tools to:

• write or rewrite your assignment responses, reflections, or discussion posts

• generate personal examples or “life stories”

• answer questions for you

• create observation logs or fabricate communication interactions

• paraphrase course materials into a response that appears original

• submit AI-generated writing, even if edited

AI Use Disclosure Requirement

If you use AI at any point, include an AI Use Note at the bottom of your submission that includes:

• what tool you used

• the purpose (brainstorming, outlining, editing, translation, etc.)

• a brief description of what changed after using AI

Example: 

AI Use Note: I used ChatGPT to help outline my response and revise grammar. All ideas and examples are my own.

Why This Matters

These assignments are meant to help you develop self-awareness, communication competence, and authentic voice. AI can remove that learning. Your goal is growth, not perfection.

Academic Integrity Reminder:

Submitting content that is not your own, including AI-generated material presented as original or without proper citation, is a violation of the Student Conduct Code and may be treated as academic dishonesty. Always think critically, verify your sources, and produce work that reflects your own learning.

Support and Guidance:

These guidelines are designed to help you use AI responsibly, strengthen your research and writing skills, and develop critical thinking. If you are unsure whether your AI use is appropriate, ask for guidance.