Mathematician Paul Halmos once wrote a book entitled I want to be a mathematician: an automathography. Since nobody had ever heard of an "automathography" before, he explained what it meant: it was a story of his life with mathematics. He reasoned that an "autobiography" would be too broad. You are to write an automathography. You will give a personal account of your life with mathematics up to this point. The primary grading criterion is that you present a reflective account describing how you got where you are. A list of courses you took is not sufficient (or even desirable). Rather, focus on impressions and important turning points.

If asked for an account of my life at Kenyon, I could give a journalistic list of the dates of my interview and hiring, the classes I've taught, the committees I've served on, etc. Or I could discuss my impressions of the importance of broad intellectual curiosity here, of community and the amazing people I've worked with, of adjusting to life in rural Central Ohio. The second kind of account is what I'm asking for. To put the same thing a different way, it is vitally important that you reflect on your experience. I don't care nearly so much what happened as I care what it meant for you.

The length of the automathography is up to you, but I had something on the order of 3 pages in mind. If you find that you need closer to 5, go for it. If you find yourself struggling to fill a page, go back and reflect some more. You've been in math classes most of your life -- it must have made some sort of impression!

While I said earlier that the primary criterion for grading would be how reflective an account you present, also vitally important is that you use standard English spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. This is a writing assignment at Kenyon, after all! I would encourage you to start early and visit the Writing Center with a draft.