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Homepage SOC302 Sociology of Religion (rev. 2/10/99)
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS
1. Papers are to be typed and double-spaced.
2. Papers should have reasonable margins: at least 1 inch on all sides.
3. Papers should be proofread for spelling, grammar, syntax, and appropriate usage. These things are all important to clear and effective writing, and, more immediately, to your grade. Use the dictionary when you need it, and become familiar with one of the many style manuals available.
4. Long quotations (anything over about three lines) are to be indented and single-spaced to separate them from the rest of the text.
5. Citations: You don't need elaborate footnotes or endnotes, but you will need to include references to the text(s) in your essays. References should be embedded in the text at the appropriate places, indicated by the author's name, date, and page number, placed in parentheses. EXAMPLE: (Durkheim 1995, p. 102).
You should also include a complete list of references at the end in the following format:
Emile Durkheim, The Division of Labor in Society ( New York: Free Press, 1984).
Emile Durkheim, Suicide (New York: Free Press, 1954).
It is also important that I know what edition you are using (if there is more than one).
For citing web pages, please use the following format:
Author, Title. (Available: URL, date posted/last revised.). [retrieved]
For example, the class home page should be cited as following
Lutz Kaelber, S0C302 Sociology of Religion Spring 1999 (Available: http://www.lsc.vsc.edu/faculty/kaelberl/302s99.htm, February 2, 1999). [February 10, 1999.]
6. SOME COMMENTS ON PLAGIARISM:
A few students do not seem to understand that plagiarism includes more than simply turning in a paper all or part of which is copied from another source. Note that the definition of plagiarism includes any unacknowledged use of words, phrases, sentences, or ideas, that have come from anywhere but your own head. It includes collaboration among students as well as borrowing from published sources. In writing your papers, you can seek any sort of help you can find--secondary sources, lectures, class discussion, private discussions with me or with other students. When it comes to writing your essay, however, the words and ideas should be your own or their source should be explicitly acknowledged.
Note also that it is your responsibility to make sure you understand what constitutes plagiarism and to avoid the appearance of plagiarism, even when there is no intentional dishonesty. If you have any doubts about something, ask. Ignorance is no excuse; I strongly recommend that each student become familiar with LSC's policy on academic dishonesty. I take plagiarism very seriously and will not be lenient or sympathetic. Plagiarists will receive an "F" for the course and a report will be sent to the Academic Dean's office explaining the circumstances.