Peter Fraunholtz is a History professor at Northeastern University rated 2.17/5 on Rate My Professors by 48 students, with 4.2/5 RMP difficulty and 0% who would take them again (RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated October 2026).
Peter Fraunholtz professor reviews and ratings: 2.17/5 from 48 RMP ratings at Northeastern (0% would take again). RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
I'm writing this for the capstone. This course is so difficult as a capstone, the last semester of college. He makes you write 3 FULL paragraphs for every discussion with in-text citations and a bibliography. He also gives you a lot of feedback, where he expects you to implement everything he says. The work never ends, even after the last class...HST110 2026-04-18 00:46:17 +0000 UTC
This professor is very reading-heavy. There is a lot of reading and extensive research, involving around 20-50 pages of reading per week. There are also numerous other requirements, such as discussion boards where you are expected to submit three full-length paragraphs with citations and incorporate three readings every week.HIST1253 2026-01-27 14:44:02 +0000 UTC
Truly the worst course I have ever taken. Endless material to read, papers to write... the workload is comical. On top of this, your assignments are graded weeks later, without a rubric, so expect arbitrary numbers like 3.72/5. You are expected to dedicate your life to this class while receiving little to no effort from the professor.HIST2311 2025-08-21 02:36:46 +0000 UTC
please dont take this class if you want to have a lifeHIST2211 2025-08-08 19:50:42 +0000 UTC
Worst professor at NU GSIR. Weekly discussions continue beyond Sun, burdening students with last-minute questions on Mon, impacting other class preparations. Grades harshly but doesn't give feedback, unlike other profs. No concrete scoring rubric either. Hypocritically, he emphasizes error-free writing, but has made typos himself almost every week.GNRHST 2023-07-27 00:48:27 +0000 UTC
Professor Fraunholtz is knowledgeable about the topic and provides many good resources on the topic. He assigns a heavy workload, leaving little room for balance with other courses. He didn't provide feedback until the midterm. The final had contradicting information in the rubric and it is very difficult to all of the goals he expects to see.HIST3330 2022-12-15 07:33:00 +0000 UTC
gives too much work and seems to not understand that a person can have a life outside of his class. not very helpful and confusing most of the time. his class seems like it is designed for you to fail and have a bad time. 0/10 would not take again. also like literally no one has said that they would take his classes again and he still sucks lol.HIST1211 2022-09-08 07:53:24 +0000 UTC
I really enjoyed this class and the professor that taught it. I learned more than any class I have taken at Northeastern. Lectures were engaging. All this aside, there definitely was a LOT of work. Be prepared for that when you walk in on the first day: essay tests, 12 page papers, group projects, and lots of required reading.HISTWORL 2010-09-02 14:43:22 +0000 UTC
He is the worst teacher I have ever had at Northeastern. He sits up in the front of class and reads off a timeline. He is rude and mean. He makes everyone do group presentations on the readings so that he doesn't have to teach. He assigns a stupid 12 page paper and tells you that you need 5 main points 5-7 sentences each main point, doesn't add up.HIST111 2009-09-10 20:06:03 +0000 UTC
The WORST class I've had at Northeastern so far! MORE READING THAN YOU CAN HANDLE; from a ton of books which cost $$$! RIDICULOUS 12 page papers for only a 200 level course! His lectures are IMPOSSIBLE to take notes on, yet alone stay awake! Exams are all essays. I feel so bad for you if you get him for this class. DO NOT TAKE! REPEAT! DO NOT TAKE!HSTU211 2009-04-20 23:11:11 +0000 UTC
The hardest professor at Northeastern! Hundred page readings every night and weekly presentations! Handouts in class are extremely important for the midterm but the final is take home (two 5 page essays). Lectures are boring and is an extremely tough grader! DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS! EVER!HST211 2009-04-19 22:36:12 +0000 UTC
Professor Fraunholtz is rude to his students and, even when the entire class is at a loss, continues to lecture and confuse everyone. Go to class, because he passes out about 8 handouts a day that you WILL be tested on. And don't plan on leaving class when it ends - he thinks its kosher to keep lecturing 10+ min. after class has ended. HORRIBLE!!!!HSTU170 2008-06-27 11:12:37 +0000 UTC
If you take any HST class make sure it's 3x/wk & not 2 (way too long otherwise). Very boring. Way too many reading assignments-2 semester's worth for 1. Lots of writing assignments. Changed the final last minute to several papers due at the end of the semester - major ****. Probably a nice guy, but not a great professor.HSTU101 2007-11-29 17:02:54 +0000 UTC
extremely boring. very monotone, claims to not lecture that often at the beginning of the semester, but that is all the class is. take good notes, pay attention to the movies (sometimes), and do all the required readings. you will not have fun in his class. thats almost a certainty.HISTU170 2007-11-14 10:45:49 +0000 UTC
Lectures could be a little boring but the material was pretty interesting, GO TO CLASS, tests were fair read the books and try to pay attention and you will be fineHSTU110 2007-04-01 15:28:04 +0000 UTC
Peter Fraunholtz is rated 2.17/5 on Rate My Professors from 48 ratings. 0% of RMP reviewers said they would take them again.
Peter Fraunholtz's classes have a difficulty rating of 4.2/5 on Rate My Professors.
Peter Fraunholtz has taught HIST2211, HIST2311, INTL4700, GST6220, GST6200, HIST1253, INTL1101, HIST2306 and 6 more at Northeastern.
Data updated October 2026.