Mary Renda - Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Professor: Mary Renda

Department: History

College: Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CST249DD
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I am not a history major (Renda is head of the dept). I was extremely frustrated with her responses to essays. Conversations in class were too guided and unnatural. We were expected to participate, but she didn't like to move away from the answer she agreed with. I am coming away very frustrated and angry.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HIST350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She was my independent study advisor. She was never clear about her expectations, and got mad when I didn't meet them. She gave me almost no guidance, despite requests for it. She forgot about our weekly meetings on several occasions. She did not read or respond to my emails. She literally caused me to have a panic attack after one of our meetings.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HIST171
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Even though she was a bit unorganized at times, I could tell that she was so interested in the material and undoubtably knowledgeable. To me, she appeared rather approachable and very polite. She cares about how well her students do, and she makes that obvious through encouragement in class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GEN100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Amazing professor. She pushes you to do your best. She is engaging and encourages students to share ideas.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: GNDST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sad that a woman like Renda has degrees from institutions like Yale and can still be so ignorant. She is intimidating, but if you do go to her office the best thing she can do is make you feel stupid and doubt yourself. I would not recommend her at all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GNDSTHIST
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor! There is a lot of reading, but she is very understanding and helpful. One of my favorite professors!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I am currently in Prof. Renda's class & she's exactly what I expect from an MHC Prof: tough yet fair, and genuinely interested in the progress of each of her students. No light assigments, but she works just as hard for you - her comments, to in-class discussion or written work are thorough and extremely constructive. Her brilliance is inspiring.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: GNDST201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She was terrible. She never explained what we would be doing in each class, and her assignments were extremely poorly explained, making their execution nearly impossible. She straight yelled at me in her office, and ostracized me in the classroom. Never responds to e-mails.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GS101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I LOVE mary.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: GNDER101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

she is so passionate about the topic and is always willing to help students. is a tough grader

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HIST301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tough but rewarding.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AMST301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Without a doubt the best prof I've had at MHC. Caring and thoughtful, very tough, and very worth it. I have never been more proud of an A than the one I earned in Mary's class. Take the time to see her in her office hours. This class was the most rewarding of my life.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: IMPERIALISMSEM
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mary Renda will open you mind and force to you question what you think you think. Awesome.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HIST171
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Did not enjoy class, felt intimidated and frustrated in class. Know that she means well, but she does not teach a supportive and warm feeling class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Ok Class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HIST100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

So brilliant and inspiring. Articulate and a sight for sore eyes.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Renda was really interested in the subject of our first-year seminar on US Imperialism. You need to take advantage of her office hours, and plan ahead because she can give really good advice as long as you leave enough time to completely re-write your paper.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST276
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

She seems busy outside of class, maybe writing a book or something? But readings were interesting and class discussions were fun. You can't get away with B.S. or filler in your papers, but as long as you understand how she wants you to write (talk to her about it), you'll be fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HIST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

The oral comments we had to do were very helpful with mastering the skill. She knew a lot about what she taught but had a hard time sticking to a topic during discussion. She isn't clear a lot of the time with directions and discussions. But the US Imperialism class was good.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HST101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mary is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. May seem disorganized because she throws readings together and assumes students will be able to understand where they connect; unless you have enough background her brilliance will be lost on you. She gave me confidence in my speaking ability 2!