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Academic Integrity and Ethical Scholarship

Academic integrity is a core expectation of this course and an essential skill for success in high school, college, and future careers in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, and related fields. Students are expected to complete all coursework honestly, independently, and responsibly, while giving proper credit to the ideas and work of others.

What Academic Integrity Means in This Course

To comply with institutional academic integrity policies, students must:

• Submit original work for all assignments, including written responses, theory applications, research activities, quizzes, and projects. 
• Properly cite sources when using ideas, statistics, definitions, or quotations from textbooks, articles, videos, or online materials, even when paraphrasing. Use course materials appropriately, including OER readings and instructor-provided resources, without copying text verbatim unless clearly quoted and cited.
• Complete assessments independently, unless an assignment explicitly allows collaboration or group work.
• Use technology ethically, including AI tools, research databases, and online sources, only as permitted by the instructor.

Examples of Integrity in Course Assessments

Because this course emphasizes theory application and real-world analysis:

• When applying criminological theories (e.g., Strain Theory, Differential Association) to Louisiana or local examples, students must use their own words and reasoning, not copied explanations from websites or classmates.
• Research-related assignments must reflect the student’s understanding of quantitative vs. qualitative methods, inductive vs. deductive reasoning, and the research process.
• Reflections on trauma, environment, peer influence, or community factors should be thoughtful, personal, and evidence-based, not generated or copied without understanding.

Academic Dishonesty Includes (But Is Not Limited To):

• Plagiarism (copying or closely paraphrasing without citation)
• Submitting another person’s work as your own
• Using AI-generated content without permission or proper acknowledgment
• Sharing answers on quizzes or assessments
• Reusing the same assignment for multiple classes without approval

Violations of academic integrity may result in a zero on the assignment, required resubmission, parent/guardian notification, referral to school administration, or other consequences consistent with institutional policy.

Responsible Use of AI and Technology

If AI tools are permitted for brainstorming or outlining:

• Students must clearly acknowledge their use
• AI may not replace original thinking, analysis, or writing
• Final submissions must reflect the student’s own understanding and voice

If AI use is not permitted for a specific assignment, any AI-generated content will be treated as academic dishonesty.

Late Assignment Policy

Meeting deadlines is an important part of academic responsibility and prepares students for college and professional expectations. However, this course also recognizes that students may face challenges.

Standard Late Policy

• Assignments submitted 1–2 days late will receive a 10% deduction per day.
• Assignments submitted 3–5 days late may receive up to a 50% deduction.
• Assignments submitted more than five days later might be rejected without prior approval.

Extensions and Special Circumstances

Extensions may be granted for:

• Illness or medical emergencies
• Family emergencies
• School-sponsored activities
• Technology or access issues beyond the student’s control

Students should communicate with the instructor before the due date whenever possible. Documentation may be required in accordance with school policy.

Make-Up Work and Accountability

• Late work must still meet academic integrity standards and learning objectives.
• Repeated late submissions may impact participation or course progress.
• Students are encouraged to use planning tools, reminders, and instructor check-ins to stay on track.

Commitment to Learning

By following academic integrity standards and submitting work on time, students demonstrate respect for themselves, their classmates, and the learning process. These expectations support the course’s goal of helping students become critical thinkers, ethical scholars, and informed community members.

If students are ever unsure about citation, collaboration, AI use, or deadlines, they are encouraged to ask questions early; seeking clarification is always the right choice.