Changes Regarding Prospectus, Case Exercise, and Term Paper

First, I've learned that my statment in the syllabus about working together on the course term paper, that "the writing must be your own," goes against tradition and (perhaps) good sense. I am therefore changing that. Therefore, you may work on the term papers in groups of no more than three students (whom you select yourself), and you will turn in only one paper per group. The grade for the paper will go to all three members of the group.

The same is therefore also true of the prospectus: If you are planning to work in a group, turn in one prospectus for the group. The prospectus, by the way, is not an irrevocable commitment. If you later decide to change what you do in a significant way, or even disband your group and work separately, you are welcome to, but only if you first clear the change with me in writing (which includes e-mail). I won't object, except if I think you are getting yourself into trouble.

I suspect that the uncertainty about group projects may have interfered with your planning these last few days, so I am moving the deadline for turning in your prospectuses to Tueday, Feb. 11. That will give you another weekend to think about and talk about what you want to do.

Finally, I never said in the syllabus any details of how the case exercise would be organized. It will be like an elaborate problem set, but with only one large problem, applying benefit-cost to some hypothetical situation that will be spelled out in some detail. My plan is to hand it out on Tuesday, Mar. 11, and have it due at the beginning of class that Thursday, Mar. 13. If you see problems with that timing, please let me know immediately.

For the case exercise, you will definitely work in groups, of two or perhaps three, that I will assign. That is, you don't get to pick your partners for this assignment. I will make the assignments before spring break so that you and your partner will have time to think about how you will coordinate. As with the term papers, you will turn in only a single document for your group, and you will share the same grade.