Courses My set thoery course doesnt have a book?

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The discussion centers around concerns regarding the absence of a required textbook for a proof-based set theory course. The student expresses unease about not having a book for reference, especially since a peer had one in a previous semester. While some participants suggest waiting for the course to start, they also indicate that professors often provide handouts or recommend supplementary literature. There is a cautionary note about the potential pitfalls of excessive reading outside the course's focus, emphasizing the importance of aligning study efforts with assessment criteria. Overall, the consensus leans towards waiting for the class to begin for clarification, while also considering contacting the math department for more information.
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Hey,

This fall I am taking my first proof based course, in set theory, and there is currently "NO BOOK" available from our bookstore. All of the other books are listed, and the math department's publication also listed as "NO BOOK". I knew someone who took this course last spring, and they had a book.

I don't really want to pester the professor, because this will likely be discussed when class starts, but I am a little curious/disconcerted.

I really like having a book for reference/self teaching myself if something happens and I miss lecture or something.

What do you guys think? Do you think that the course could actually not have a book?

I think I am going to call the math department, not the professor. Do you think they could answer the question?
 
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I don't think they're going to be able to answer the question, to be honest, but you can try anyway. I'm sure you'll get recommended literature at the beginning of the course, but I don't see a problem with there being no required book. If that's going to be the case, you're just going to need lecture notes, so what. And I don't see why you'd be "disconcerted" by that. You seem to be making a mountain out of a mole hill. Relax.
 
Wait until you start is my advice.

The lecturer might give you a subject handout or tell you some references to other books that complement the material you are getting.

If they don't then no harm in asking.

Just one thing that I want to point out: sometimes doing extra reading is not a good idea if you don't keep focused on what is being assessed. If you spend heaps of time learning the subject, but not enough time on what is being assessed, you might not go as well as you could.

I'm not advocating that you don't use other resources, but rather that you realize the domain of your subject and what is being focused on: this way, you can focus on what you need to and not risk spending an inordinate amount of time learning something that you won't be assessed on.
 
Yea you guys are right I'm just going to wait and see
 
anonymity said:
Hey,

This fall I am taking my first proof based course, in set theory, and there is currently "NO BOOK" available from our bookstore. All of the other books are listed, and the math department's publication also listed as "NO BOOK". I knew someone who took this course last spring, and they had a book.

I don't really want to pester the professor, because this will likely be discussed when class starts, but I am a little curious/disconcerted.

I really like having a book for reference/self teaching myself if something happens and I miss lecture or something.

What do you guys think? Do you think that the course could actually not have a book?

I think I am going to call the math department, not the professor. Do you think they could answer the question?

Some professors provide a 'book' they wrote themselves, I know that in the physics and math department at my school for specific courses 2 professors provide their own notes but give the names of the books they used as references to write the notes so you could always check them out at the library or something.
 
It just seemed peculiar because my friend took it last semester and did have a published text (Granted, it was a different teacher).
 
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