Our year-long introductory series is not the basic "survey course" that is typical of undergraduate introductory psychology courses. Because we teach 4 modules of psychology for 7 weeks each, we tend to find any basic Intro Psych textbook both too broad (many of the chapters never get covered) and not nearly in depth enough for the topics we do cover. However, in past years, we did require students to purchase such a book (Gray, Introductory Psychology), at a considerable expense (roughly $90.00). The textbook readings were always supplemented by several outside readings because of the somewhat skimpy coverage given to each of our disciplines, and oftentimes, faculty members teaching intro sections didn't use the book at all. Thus, we began to feel that it was a waste of your money to continue to require an intro textbook. Furthermore, the frequent publication of new editions with exceedingly minor changes from old editions makes it nearly impossible to find economical used books. Therefore, we are no longer requiring students to purchase the intro textbook.
The on-line reserve materials should be conisdered a substitute textbook for this course. Indeed, several chapters from the Gray and other textbooks, as well as readings from other sources are required. I urge you to be considerate of trees and the College's enormous printing expenses (which you pay for if not directly, then indirectly, through increases in fees) by doing as much reading as possible at your computer. If you simply must read a print copy, then I urge you to use a local printer connected to your own computer, or check out the copies of the readings available on reserve at Magill. Printing reserve readings to a networked printer should be practiced rarely, if at all.