[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:43:25.326913+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI4MzIwNzc=","source_instructor_id":"rmp:264746","instructor_name":"Donald Downs","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2004-11-24 17:45:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"Downs really has a great sense of humor.  He knows his stuff well, and if you need any help in class, he is more than willing to make time for you.  Definately my favorite professor at Madison.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/264746","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3NDU5NjA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2023-02-26 20:21:33 +0000 UTC","comment":"Easily the best PoliSci professor I've ever taken a class with. His knowledge on his subjects of specialties is endless and you can ask him about any current event topic and he'll cite text back at you. Lectures are dense but exams are more than fair and actually engage you and make you think. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MTk2MTk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2022-12-20 01:38:14 +0000 UTC","comment":"By far my favorite professor at UW. Caring, hilarious, and is good at his job. Be sure to stay on track of readings and lecture as they are important for quizzes and exams! Lecture is recorded, but it's more fun to go in person. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1ODU4MjMx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2022-02-16 15:22:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"Hands down one of the best professors I have ever had. I have taken him for 3 classes and he has been amazing every time! He is so intelligent that his lectures will keep you thinking about class content for hours after class is over. His exams are definitely challenging, but if you attend class and do the readings you will definitely get A.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MjkxNDU5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2021-11-23 15:23:41 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Schweber is one of the most knowledgeable professors I have ever had. Lectures are very dense and if you take hand-written notes, expect to take about 7 pages per lecture at a very fast pace. He is passionate about all the material, but sometimes it is hard to deduce the "main point." Take home exams are graded fairly, take about 4 hours.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MDcwODQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2020-12-14 21:27:29 +0000 UTC","comment":"This man did not know how to do an online course and it shows. He consistently uploaded his lectures late and there were times where the lectures far exceeded the normal class time. His class is weirdly structured an a 20 minute lecture may take an hour to do in order to understand his twisty and incoherent sentences. It's a no from me.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNjI1NDcz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2020-09-01 22:11:45 +0000 UTC","comment":"Extremely knowledgeable on the subject matter and delivers lectures with intent. Has no issue making his opinion clear, but is able to explain concepts without letting personal bias muddy the waters. Exams are partner or solo, and are exceedingly fair. Put the work in, get a good grade.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxMTc2Nzky","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2018-12-30 17:21:49 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof Schweber just knows a lot, which makes things a bit different because he literally doesn't use Power Point. It's just his knowledge. But his is an amazing way of teaching  3 long take homes but you're really in trouble if you skip just one single lecture. You'll learn a lot not just about the constitution, also history & polisci in general.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MTMxMjMy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2014-12-18 10:43:07 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof Schweber is a professor I will always remember here at UW-Madison. He is absolutely brilliant and loves what he does. He loves talking with students and sharing his experiences. People say he's arrogant- but if you know your stuff why wouldn't you express it? 3 take home exams- easy if you go to lecture. TYPE NOTES. Never read the book. Easy A","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:36:27.987655+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTEwNzg2MTc5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:464204","instructor_name":"Howard Schweber","course_label":"POLISCI411","course_id":"POLISCI 411","course_uid":"course_6fea586d199f949f361d08ca","review_date":"2005-10-18 11:57:54 +0000 UTC","comment":"No Comments","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/464204","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0}]