The CIA student handbook defines plagiarism as "presenting the work of another as one's own (i.e., without proper acknowledgment of the sources). Plagiarism can occur through written work, as well as, orally, visually, or conceptually."
| The word “plagiarism” is a derivative of the Latin word plagiarius which means kidnapper? |
Plagiarism can happen intentionally by having someone else do your work, or by copying another person’s work. It can also happen unintentionally by neglecting to cite a source, or by not realizing where an idea or thought originated.
You live in a time when so much information is shared. You share photos, music, and even your “status.” You are immersed in an academic environment that encourages the discussion and sharing of ideas. It’s easy to understand how someone else’s ideas could unintentionally be “kidnapped.” 
Drawing by Josephine Magee.
Why should I care about plagiarism?
Academic integrity is necessary to the education process and crucial in developing your own sense of creative expression. Without honesty, your academic and studio endeavors are undermined. If you repeatedly “borrow” thoughts and ideas from others, you could harm your own creative process.
Think about it like this—by not plagiarizing, you are preserving and protecting your creative self and your sense of originality.
On a more practical level, students found guilty of plagiarism may be subject to the disciplinary actions outlined in the CIA student handbook.
