New Book on Student Plagiarism: Blum

Inside Higher Ed today posted an article, "It's Culture, Not Morality," about Susan D. Blum's new book on student plagiarism (My Word! Plagiarism and College Culture)"The book, about to appear from Cornell University Press, is sure to be controversial because it challenges the strategies used by colleges and professors nationwide. In many ways, Blum is arguing that the current approach of higher education to plagiarism is a shock and awe strategy — dazzle students with technology and make them afraid, very afraid, of what could happen to them."

As usual with Inside Higher Ed articles, the comments are as good as the piece itself. I side with those who say no matter what theoretical frame you bring to it, practically speaking, the only way around plagiarism is to create assignments that make it very, very difficult.