re: Time to bitch about book prices

Eh, we have gone over vector calculus/fluids for the first two classes, and have two more of it. Starting out boring

Nah, I prefer having the actual book. Reading stuff on the computer =/= reading out of a book

We're supposed to be writing code to solve the heat eqn and using Fluent this semester also

I had succes with the international versions. It's the exact same book just without glossy paper.

I have already straight up asked professors If the book is even needed.

I remember how ghetto SELU seemed at the time for its mandatory book rental policy.

quote:

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Just to do homework for one class this semester, I have to pay $75 to Mcgraw-Hill for a dog shite homework website. That's just to turn in my homework

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Some of the textbook pricing I understand and can go along with. Most I have a problem with. Usually you can find creative ways to deal with high book prices.

However, what you just described is really aggravating. You should look to see if that requirement was expressed in the course catalog. I don't believe that's legal unless it was disclosed ahead of time - professor is basically saying, "Hey guys, I'm charging you $75 to do your own homework". That's essentially like having a course with a lab, which has a fee attached. Well, it's far worse than that.

At its best, such a practice is unethical coercion of a captive audience. At its worst, that's conspiracy. That online thing is likely just a way for the professor to never have to grade anything, compile reports or you know, like, do any work.

I think you should complain, seriously, and demand the school cover that $75 or refund that $75 to you. If they don't, blast that professor during course reviews, write a letter to the newspaper (school paper). You help substantiate the fact that is a fraud by citing the ubiquitous nature of freeware programs that could handle homework submission and automatic grading. You're paying $75 for McGraw-Hill to do the professors job for him. That's some Grade A bullshite right there.

A professor that does this to his students can't be a good person.

Maybe a lot of professors these days are dumb and lazy - just like millenials are accused of being. It wasn't that long ago I was in school and I remember professors coming in with reports showing what questions were missed, likely reasons, hand written notes of feedback they made on HW and tests, and so forth for the purposes of review. Best classes I ever took did nothing with a computer or the internet. Had a grad course in stats that didn't even require a calculator. Most I ever learned in one semester.

You know that you'll use these books for life, right?

For real. Who the hell buys books from the campus bookstore?

I rented my book through Amazon for ~$40.

Look for International Editions on Ebay. Much cheaper, no resale value though. The best times are when you can find a torrent. Though LSU is getting better with online books. All my books last semester were free online through the library.