Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
The only history we got is the life span of mathematicians. Only math on the midterms. The 2nd midterm being 20% of our grade, 20 points, and only having 4 questions means that if you get one of the questions wrong or make small mistakes on two of them your grade is screwed. He also cut me off while I was asking a question.Rate My Professors ↗
Instead of focusing on the history aspect of this class in any way, it was very much proof and mathematical based. I have heard from other math majors this isn't the way the class usually is. He made the 2nd and 3rd exams purposefully harder because people, "did too well." Also, sometimes he could not read his own proofs and was confused/lost.Rate My Professors ↗
The midterm and final were each worth 40% of your grade. Stared at the board, didn't go over examples, put proofs on the midterm in a nonproof class, and the textbook was above the level of the class. The homework was impossible and I'm not sure he could do them they were so hard. Wasted the last 2 weeks of class teaching material not on the final.Rate My Professors ↗
He tries to teach at a level that is inappropriate for the given class. He often will ask the class questions during lecture and no one will be able to answer them. When he lectures, he normally talks to the board and stands directly in the way of what he is writing so you cannot see. Unhelpful office hours.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
A historical survey of the main lines of mathematical development.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Michael Kemeny's HISTSCI/MATH 473 is heavily proof-based with minimal history content, contrary to expectations. Reviewers report that exams are difficult, potentially made harder to lower grades, and the grading structure is high-stakes. Additionally, Kemeny has been described as confused by his own proofs and dismissive of student questions.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | HISTSCI/MATH 473 | History of Mathematics |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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