If this site is successful, vast numbers of term papers on any subject
will be available for free use. Of course, it will be easier for profs to
check the site than it is to check the countless term paper black markets.
It may well be that the term paper is a product of the pre-digital
world, and destined to fade out anyway. There is something about the term
paper that strikes me an an archaic hangover from the olde days when
gentlemen cultivated the art of the essay as a leisure activity. The
term paper also served admirably as a kind of apprentice program for
students who chose to go into academic careers in which research was the
main game.
Almost every student I know hates writing term papers, and almost every
prof I know hates grading them. The profs often weasel out by having
poorly-paid assistants mark the papers. Small wonder, then, if students
choose to buy their papers when they can. Fraternities and sororities
often keep files of papers and old exams of profs who are known to repeat
themselves -- thus giving the Greek set a decided advantage (and more
time to party). At least the schoolsucks site is free.
Anyone else have thoughts on the future of the term paper?