"Extra-credit" Papers

Extra-credit papers are not accepted in this course. There are several reasons for this policy: a) To allow "extra-credit" papers is unfair to other students who may have work or family responsibilities or other course-commitments, and do not have the time to compete in this extra, unexpected area; b) Particularly if you are in a summer session, the time is too short for such activities; c) Such papers are usually proposed too late in the semester, and by students who have run into trouble, and who would be better advised to put in their time and effort on the text materials (which should be adequate in volume to keep one well occupied); and d) In the past some such "extra-credit" papers have been found to be (to put it delicately) "recycled." Please do not ask for an exception to this policy.