Papers and Other Written Assignments
One or more papers or other written assignments (e.g., problem sets, laboratory reports) are often included as part of the work required of students in their courses. Most students learn more effectively from a series of graduated writing assignments than from a single term paper, particularly in courses designed to introduce students to a new field or a particular mode of inquiry. The feedback that students receive on work completed early in the term helps to clarify what is expected in written assignments, and later assignments provide students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned from the earlier comments.
The nature and number of written assignments and their due dates should be included on the course syllabus. All written work must be due by the last day of the Reading Period, though instructors may grant individual undergraduates an extension of time for medical reasons and other special circumstances up to the end of the Examination Period, but no later, and may grant graduate students an extension of time until the end of the next regular term. (See Late Work and Extension of Time for Course Work.) Incomplete (INC) cannot under any circumstances be given to undergraduates.
Plagiarism
Any material submitted to meet course requirements—homework assignments, papers, projects, examinations — is expected to be a student’s own work. Students are directed to Writing with Sources and Writing with Internet Sources at the beginning of their first term, and in the required first-year writing course, Expository Writing, undergraduates are urged to take great care in distinguishing their own ideas and thoughts from information and analysis derived from printed and electronic sources. Although instructors are encouraged to take every opportunity to reinforce and develop these lessons, the final responsibility for knowing proper forms of citation rests with students.
In cases of suspected plagiarism by an undergraduate student, please contact the Secretary of the Administrative Board (adboard@fas.harvard.edu). (See The Administrative Boards) In cases of suspected plagiarism by a graduate student, please contact the GSAS associate dean for student affairs.
Collaboration
It is essential that instructors set out carefully in writing and at the outset of a course or course assignment the extent of permissible student collaboration in the preparation of papers, computer programs, or examinations. Students must assume that collaboration in the completion of assignments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Students should be reminded that they are expected to acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted work.
Submission of the Same Work to More than One Course
Papers and other work should normally be submitted to only one course. Any student who wishes to submit to another course the same or similar work used in a previous course must obtain the prior written permission of the instructor. If a student wishes to submit the same or similar work to more than one course during the same term, the prior written permission of all of the instructors involved must be obtained. A student who submits the same or similar work to more than one course without such prior permission will ordinarily be required to withdraw from the College or from GSAS.
