<p>Where do I buy textbooks, and by when do I have to have them? Is there a list for each class?</p>
<p>Anywhere you want (particularly if you want to buy them cheaper), but most students go to the McGill bookstore, in the basement where they have all the books for each class, organized by field and course number. You probably want them by the end of the add-drop period (first 2 weeks of class). Yes, there is a list for each class, and which book is required will be in the syllabus/course outline given at the beginning of the term (and also available on the course webpage on WebCT or whatever online system they’re using now).</p>
<p>^ is more or less correct. However, I don’t know if “most” students actually go to the bookstores, since it is usually the most expensive option. I would check FB, the McGill Classifieds, Amazon and some of the sites that specialize in textbooks before I go to the bookstore (the exception is course packs, in which case you almost always want to buy them new, as they often will change year to year.) </p>
<p>It’s university. No one is going to tell you when you “have to have them.” However, readings will be assigned right away - sometimes there are readings assigned for the first class (i.e., to get done even before your class starts) - so while some people like to wait for a few days in case they decide to drop the course, it’s generally unwise to wait too long.</p>
<p>I’m not sure for other departments, but both poli sci and philosophy department websites have a course list complete with corresponding syllabi. As it’s the summer, they are still being updated. I would recommend checking the website of your department.</p>
<p>Delete this comment if it violates any rules, but you can torrent most textbooks online on TPB or TMB.</p>
<p>I get 90% of my books used, through Mcgill Classifieds, at very good deals. This is also the way most students do it. There will be a couple unlucky occasions when a prof. will specifically ask for a newer edition for some reason, but these are not that common (maybe one class every two semesters). </p>
<p>There is no shortage of slightly paranoid students that buy new books for every single class they take, so there are many good deals for barely used books if you don’t mind browsing through the simplistic and annoying interface of Mcgill Classifieds.</p>
<p>There are also classes for which you don’t really need the book, but those cases vary depending on the person.</p>