Richard J. Hardy

Preventing Academic Dishonesty: Some Important Tips for Political Science Professors.

Abstract A preceding article written by Professor Hardy together with David Burch, “What Political Science Professors Should Know in Dealing with Academic Dishonesty,” was published in Teaching Political Science, Fall 1981. This sequel was a paper delivered at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 16, 1981. Academic dishonesty is a problem that has plagued political science professors for generations. In recent years, however, academic dishonesty among colleges and universities appears to have reached epidemic proportions. Cheating on major examinations has become highly sophisticated, and the production and distribution of plagiarized term papers is now a multi-million dollar business. Political science professors can therefore no longer assume that traditional methods of testing and grading are valid. New methods of detecting and preventing academic dishonesty must be developed and implemented if grades are to have any meaning. The purpose of this paper...

In the Supreme Court Justices' Shoes: Critical Thinking Through the Use of Hypothetical Case Law Analyses and Interactive Simulations

Judicial decisions are an integral part of American politics and, despite the presence of written and explicated opinions of federal judges, the internal deliberations and decision making processes of judges themselves remains a mystery to many. A burgeoning body of literature focuses on the use of simulations to engage students and bridge theory to practical application. Few simulations target the judicial component of politics, despite its natural disposition for group participation in a simulation project. Richard J. (Rick) Hardy is the director of the Institute for Leadership in Civic Education, director of the National Institute for Advanced Civic Studies (sponsored by the Center for Civic Education), and assistant director of the Honors College at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He regularly teaches courses in American politics, constitutional law, and the Supreme Court. His publications include: Government in America (Houghton Mifflin), Missouri Government and Politics (Missouri Press), Civic Education (Pearson), and Politics: The Art of Drawing Dividing Lines (Thomson). Hardy also serves as a political commentator for numerous national outlets and is a presidential elector in the Electoral College. Chapman Rackaway teaches courses in American government, political campaign management, political parties, and voting behavior at Fort Hays State University. He is the director and advisor for the Political Campaigns and Management tract at FHSU. He has published in the Journal of Politics and has consulted on numerous state and national political races. Laurie E. Sonnier currently teaches social studies courses at St. Martin high school in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She earned her B.A. in political science at the University of Southern Mississippi and her M.Ed. in Education from Bowie State University. Laurie has won numerous teaching awards and has been actively involved with the National Council for the Social Studies and the Center for Civic Education. She is the co-editor of Voices of Advocacy in American Democracy (Pearson).

What Political Science Professors Should Know in Dealing with Academic Dishonesty.

Since 1961 there has been a noticeable increase in the number of lawsuits brought by students against their professors over grades and dismissals relating to academic dishonesty. Unfortunately, many political science professors are either unaware or misinformed on how to handle cases of academic dishonesty, and university administrators cannot always be counted on to look after the best interests of their own faculty. The purpose of this article is threefold. First, we look briefly at the changing legal status of college students in the United States. We examine their rights as well as relevant court decisions and recent legislation pertaining to academic dishonesty. Second, we clarify some common misconceptions professors have regarding academic dishonesty. Finally, we offer some caveats and suggestions to aid political science professors in dealing with academic dishonesty. This article was originally prepared for the Annual Meeting of the Missouri Political Science Association, St. Louis, Missouri, Nov...