The textbook for the course has been selected!  It was a hard decision since none of the major publishers could meet my kickback demands.  So the textbook had to be selected on its own merits. And the winner is...

Introduction to Fiber Optics, by Ajoy Ghatak and K. Thyagarajan (Cambridge University Press, 1998).
ISBN: 0-521-57785-3
Hardcover Price: ~$50

It's a good comprehensive, engineering kind of applications-oriented introduction to fiber optics, optical waveguides, and fiber optic communications. Numerous applications and examples of actual systems are also provided. Learn everything in this book and you should be all right in this course. It also makes a good door stop and is sure to impress your friends when they see it on your coffee table at home.

To get the book in a timely fashion, it will be best to get the book through the bookstores here in town. You can also order a copy online.  Both Amazon and Barnes and Noble carry the book. You may be able to get a used copy online at Textbooks.com or eFollets. However, I usually always try bestbookbuys.com first to do some comparative shopping.  There may be other places as well. Most of these places can deliver within three days.