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<p>The 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act requires that any institution receiving federal financial aid must provide a textbook list in time for registration. Listing “to be determined” is technically an option, but conversation with most of my friends at other institutions indicates that most places really try to minimize those TBDs, thus leading to some of the issues discussed in this thread. </p>
<p>Really, the best thing to do is email the professor about three weeks in advance and ask after the textbook list–you can discuss editions, translations and all that good stuff with the person who will know best.</p>