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University of Guyana
Turkeyen
Department of Government and International Relations
Faculty of Social Sciences
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Political Science 1200

Introduction to Political Science/Theories and Practices of Politics
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Writing and Other Academic Practices

Semester 11/2021
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First, a simple, though recurring problem, is the failure/refusal to re-read assignments after they
have been typed. Do bear in mind that whatever is submitted for evaluation/assessment is your
responsibility. Neither the University nor I made a contractual obligation with your typist for
work to be completed and submitted on your behalf. Please do not, therefore, insult your
intelligence nor mine by suggesting that late submissions, typographical errors, spelling
mistakes, etc., are the handiwork of your typist, or any other such person.

Second, final papers for grading are to be three (3) pages in length, typed, double spaced on
standard 8.5 X 11 inch paper with 1 inch margins on all sides of the page. This should yield
between 24-26 lines per page and with approximately 10 words (12 point font size) per page
amount to about 250 words per page. The title page should include: a) name and number of the
Course; b) I.D. and name of the student; and c) lecturer’s name. Please leave all other creative
endeavours for your art class.

Third, papers outside this range will be returned without comment.

Fourth, extensions are frowned upon. Since the assignment is known well in advance of its due
date it is expected that if students cannot complete it on the appointed date they will seek an
extension well in advance and not on the day it is due.

Papers submitted after the due date, without prior acknowledgement/approval, will be
automatically charged a five (5) percent penalty and an additional percentage point for each
subsequent day that it is late.
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It is expected that all work will be reasonably and adequately footnoted and referenced with
name of author, book and or article with page number clearly referenced and indicated.

Fifth, footnotes, endnotes, citations and references must be given in full with the name of the
author, text/article, along with the place, date and publication. If you are uncertain of the
form/procedure please consult the lecturer.

Sixth, please review the distinction between paraphrasing and quoting. Too often students lift
entire sections of an author’s work without appropriate references. This is a major concern and
has serious academic consequences.

Seventh, the University’s Regulations on Plagiarism reads as follows:

i) The university takes a serious view of any form of plagiarism

ii) Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized and/or unacknowledged use of another’s

intellectual ideas, efforts, and creations under one’s own name.

iii) Students are advised that intellectual efforts, ideas and creations will include books,
paintings, music, audiovisual works, and any other format in which intellectual work
maybe expressed.

iv) Unacknowledged use involves not only word for word copy of sentences or
paragraphs of another’s intellectual efforts, but also large scale borrowing and
repetition of ideas without proper footnoting or acknowledgement of the source or
sources of such borrowing.

v) If students are in any doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism they should consult with
their lecturers.

vi) It is University policy that students who are found guilty of plagiarism will be warned
on the first occasion and on any other occasion will be asked to leave the university.

Reminder
The intent is not to insult anyone’s intelligence but to remind ourselves of the University’s
professional standards and the need, especially at our level and professional status, to ensure that
they are known and observed with due diligence.

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Lecturer
Rishee Thakur