Pass the Cutlery, Please

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
As you all know, I'll be taking a required Leadership course in my studies for the Winter Quarter.

Today I ordered my textbooks, and I'm reaching for the butter knife, big time.

The main textbook for this class costs $175.00. That's right - $175.00. For an undergraduate level leadership course textbook.*

I was already irked that I have to take this course at all, and now I'm just fuming. $175.00. Seriously? For a textbook written by someone who probably has less real-world practical leadership experience than I do? For a course that I couldn't be less interested in taking?

The thing that really chaps my ass about this is that the most valuable courses I've taken in this program are the ones that don't have required textbooks - instead there are a variety of readings from various sources, all of which can be found online through DU's Penrose Library. The courses that require expensive textbooks are the ones that make me want to take out my own eye with a fork. The most expensive have been the ones from the Leadership and Organizational Studies catalog - the catalog I have the least interest in.

Man, these people must be really impressed with their work. I'm glad someone is - because I think it's a huge fucking scam. It's absolutely shameful to be rooking students who have no choice about the matter. Many adult students have to take out significant loans in order to afford to go back to school, and to charge them such outrageous prices (adding to their debt in the process) in order to line someone's pocket makes my blood boil.

To coin a phrase, they're fucking oxygen thieves.


*My company pays tuition assistance, but DU is such an expensive school, the reimbursement only covers tuition and fees, not textbooks. So this is coming out of my pocket. My righteous indignation over this matter in no way negates how incredibly lucky I am to have my company helping with my education.

9 comments:

John the Scientist said...

No used books on Amazon?

Random Michelle K said...

1) Used. If it's that bad there should be lots of copies.

2) Library + photocopier (I didn't say this)

3) If it's that bad, wait until you get the syllabus to see if you can get away without buying it.

Jeri said...

I would imagine the concentration of the whiners is highest in those types of classes as well.

You have my sympathy.

If I ever go back for my masters - and I might, sometime! - it'll be an MFA in metalsmithing/jewelry design. :D

Tania said...

Hope that you can sell it back at the end of the sememster and recover some of your funds.

You'll probably do better with that than if you invested in Blue Chips for a semester. Just sayin...

Jerry Critter said...

I think it is a crime that text books cost so much money. Again, the people who can least afford are hurt the most.

Eric said...

I'll join the chorus singing, "Used!" If not on Amazon, campus bookstore? eBay? Etc.?

Good luck!

Karl said...

I always point my students at the used books, half.com, or amazon - there are a couple more used book sites out there, though, I'm sure.

Janiece said...

I'll be selling the book back to the bookstore when the class is over, so I will get some money back. And I always request "used" when I buy.

It's just the principle of the thing.

And since I'm stabby today, it was something to rant about...

mattw said...

What about the school library or your local library?