Putting Plagiarism Under Scrutiny

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the concept of plagiarism through a case study of Punjabi international students (PS) in Canadian higher education. While plagiarism by international students is often seen as a sign of deficiency and a lack of academic abilities, this chapter aims to conceptualize and contextualize the phenomenon of plagiarism. The quick association of international students with cases of plagiarism overlooks structural and academic barriers that push some students to commit plagiarism. This chapter also distinguishes between unintentional and intentional plagiarism; while the first is often rooted in academic and language barriers, the second reflects wider structural barriers. Understanding the factors underlying plagiarism can help institutions provide relevant support for international students rather than invest in increased surveillance mechanisms.