[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:54:24.562976+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI1OTkxNjQ1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1562944","instructor_name":"Antonio Penta","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2016-01-25 19:59:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"It was one of toughest lecture I've ever taken. Professor's explanation is somewhat unclear. He explains difficult thing in a difficult way and loves mathematical notations which make even harder to understand. Discussion classes really help a lot, so go to discussion section.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1562944","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:54:24.562976+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MjQ5ODQ5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1562944","instructor_name":"Antonio Penta","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2015-01-07 19:53:16 +0000 UTC","comment":"You learn a lot but the material is very difficult.  Although homework and tests are difficult they grading isn't too bad","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1562944","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:54:24.562976+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0MTkxNjUx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1562944","instructor_name":"Antonio Penta","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2014-12-27 03:15:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"This is a difficult class! This guy really loves dense mathematical notation, sometimes to the detriment of clarity. Lectures are the typical econ PowerPoint routine, unfortunately. His lecture notes are pretty thorough, but I feel like he tried to cram too much stuff into one semester. Homework and exams are pretty reasonable. I'd take him again.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1562944","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:52:12.413941+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQyMzk3ODQy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2829520","instructor_name":"Benjamin Bernard","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2025-12-25 22:12:41 +0000 UTC","comment":"Seems knowledgeable on the topic. Lectures and problem sets are extremely confusing, much more difficult than the exams. All solutions provided throughout the course are incredibly hand wavy making it difficult to find errors. Course is hard but the curve is extremely generous meaning you will likely get a high grade even with minimal understanding","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2829520","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:52:12.413941+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3NDYyMjMx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2829520","instructor_name":"Benjamin Bernard","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2023-02-27 19:53:41 +0000 UTC","comment":"Ben was great.\n\nI find it stunning that a comment about wishing ill upon someone (like a miscarriage) is taken so lightly. The comment below a few months was flagged and passed review - unbelievable! This suggests that ratemyprofessors is really not a serious about flagging and has no serious review.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2829520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:52:12.413941+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MzE4NzYy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2829520","instructor_name":"Benjamin Bernard","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2023-01-11 15:30:09 +0000 UTC","comment":"Econ 521 is a difficult class with tricky concepts, and it was tough to get everything from the lectures. But Professor Bernard gives excellent office hours where he goes through strategies and examples in detail. He genuinely wants to help students learn as long as you make the effort. This class is super interesting - would definitely recommend. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2829520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:52:12.413941+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM3MjEwMDYz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2829520","instructor_name":"Benjamin Bernard","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2022-12-21 03:02:36 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Bernard was one of my favorite professors in my time at Madison. The lectures are not required per se, but attendance is necessary to success. While complex and fast, the lectures were always  interesting and Ben did a great job to develop problem solving skills and high levels of perseverance through difficult but interesting homework. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2829520","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0NTg4NzY3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2021-04-21 07:53:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"For such a hard topic as Game Theory, he actually tried his best to manage the material. If you are interested in it, I would definitely recommend the course to you, but if you care about GPA more, it might be a bad choice.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTc2NDcy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2020-12-22 17:31:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"His lectures are purely going through simplified examples but the homework problems and exam problems are much harder than examples he does in class. I guess that's only natural though. I thought that his lectures were very helpful conceptually since he does do a good job of avoiding jargon and repeating old concepts as he introduces new ones.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMzNTAzNTA2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2020-07-13 04:15:21 +0000 UTC","comment":"David's a really nice guy who cares a great deal about the material and making sure you learn it. His teaching is very good, if you are able to understand lecture, you won't need the textbook. The class is very hard, and the exams are among the hardest I've ever taken. If you decide to learn game theory, I recommend taking this class with him.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMxOTEyMDg1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2019-05-19 16:27:05 +0000 UTC","comment":"Even though his lecture is pretty dry, he focuses a lot on examples, which is somehow interesting and easy to understand. During office hours, he's willing to answer all questions and even advices me for grad school! Homework is hard but interesting, so it's worth to do it. The average of all exams is around 62-63%, but the class curves a lot.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwNTU2NzEw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2018-10-10 02:45:24 +0000 UTC","comment":"A very challenging course. Dr. Hansen is super nice, but hws and exams are very difficult. The average score in the first midterm is about 56/100.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTMwMDQzMDI5","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2018-05-09 17:20:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"Had Hansen for both ECON 310 and 521. He clearly knows his stuff as far as Stats is concerned, but does a poor job conveying it to students, forcing you to learn everything on your own. Won't pass Game Theory without attending lecture, as they relate to problem sets and exams. Hardest exams I've had in college; curveballs galore. Generous curves.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI5OTk4ODAw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2018-05-05 23:04:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"Lectures are basically just him going through examples. Can be dry, but it is at least always directly relevant to hw and exams. Book isn't very helpful and lecture notes are useless, so it can be difficult to understand things if you miss lecture.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0Nzg3NTQ4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2015-05-09 22:40:42 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Hansen is a really nice and approachable professor but unfortunately that does not mean he is a good teacher. Game Theory is a difficult subject and he seemed to struggle to explain the concepts. I had a very hard time in this class but he was always very available to meet with. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI0Njc2OTMy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2015-04-27 12:04:10 +0000 UTC","comment":"Hard material made harder by the fact that Hansen can't teach, and when he tries, the examples he gives are way too basic to know how to do the extremely difficult homework questions that are graded on correctness. Exams are difficult as well. ","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMzM0Mjgy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2014-06-01 02:27:40 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dr. Hansen might be a smart economist, but teaching is really not his cup of tea. He only covers the very superficial cases of basic examples. His lectures are confusing, and attendance is not necessary if you can go to the discussion. He might have tried his best, but discussion is way more helpful than his lecture.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":1.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:45:03.564653+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIzMzA1MDE3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1904025","instructor_name":"David Hansen","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2014-05-23 15:36:53 +0000 UTC","comment":"Dr. Hansen is a very bright guy, teaching a subject that is VERY difficult to understand. He does the best he can with the difficulty of the subject matter. Game Theory is not easy. The highest average on an exam was 52%. But he really does everything he can to help you and explain everything.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1904025","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NjE2NzEw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2016-05-19 12:55:50 +0000 UTC","comment":"I LOVED Professor Rostek. She is honestly the sweetest professor I've ever met. She's always super willing to help out and she will set up times outside of office hours for you if you're struggling. Lectures had a tendency to be confusing at times, but she's always willing to clarify things and she makes sure you understand everything.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTI2NTE3OTQw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2016-05-09 19:48:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Rostek is among the greatest instructors I've had the pleasure of learning from over the past 5 years.  You can tell that she REALLY DOES want to help you and see you all succeed! Always has a smile on her face; totally fabulous!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIyMTUzNzAx","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2013-10-02 23:08:23 +0000 UTC","comment":"Best professor I've had the pleasure of having at UW. She is very clear about what she wants you to know. On tests, she makes recent material worth less points. It is a class that is way easier if you attend. Definitely take a class with her if you have a chance. Loved her!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTIwMDk2OTQ1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2012-04-22 20:10:37 +0000 UTC","comment":"Great professor. She is organized and explains concepts really well. Does a lot of examples in class which makes it very interesting.  Tests are a bit tricky, but fine if you do the prob sets. A great class that ties into a lot of other classes and things outside of school.  I bought but never use the book. Highly recommend the class and professor!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5ODY5MzQ0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2012-03-01 12:45:28 +0000 UTC","comment":"Awesome Professor, she is really good at illustrating concepts and just really enjoys teaching. Take her class!!!!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE5ODY5MzI0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2012-03-01 12:40:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"Awesome teacher she is very good at illustrating the concepts in a memorable way, very clear! Take her class!!!!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4Njc4MTAz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2011-05-29 15:52:37 +0000 UTC","comment":".","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE4NTI5ODAz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2011-05-04 23:03:46 +0000 UTC","comment":"She likes asking a lot of true/false questions in lecture.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":1.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:20:00.734143+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2NjU1MTMy","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1384030","instructor_name":"Marzena Rostek","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2009-12-29 18:05:34 +0000 UTC","comment":"Game theory is tough, so beware. However, I think Rostek understands that and grades leniently. My best advice is to find people to study and do homework with. There is no TA so its nice to work with other students instead. Overall, she wasn't my favorite econ prof, but I think she does an OK job with a boring and tough subject.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1384030","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:10:31.067240+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE2OTczMzU0","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1053939","instructor_name":"Raymond Deneckere","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2010-04-09 19:01:17 +0000 UTC","comment":"Very clear teaching style. Explains wonderfully. Professor builds theory from real life examples but still has a mathematician's precision in logic. You're not required to submit homeworks. Take home exams are very tough. Project takes up some time too. Prof. is helpful and approachable. Best person to learn game theory for the first time from.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1053939","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":2.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:10:31.067240+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE1MzQwODU3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1053939","instructor_name":"Raymond Deneckere","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2009-01-08 14:33:33 +0000 UTC","comment":"Most of lectures were interesting. I went to every class but one and got a D. The take-home midterm was extremely difficult. The average was a 41/100 and blamed the class, even though there was a normal spread for it. I would not recommend this class for an elective.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1053939","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:10:31.067240+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTE0MjMwNDU3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:1053939","instructor_name":"Raymond Deneckere","course_label":"ECON521","course_id":"ECON 521","course_uid":"course_bbffbd8eaca63432913620af","review_date":"2008-04-02 09:29:08 +0000 UTC","comment":"My major problem with this class was that we didn't receive ANY sort of graded feedback until AFTER the drop deadline. Throughout much of the semester we were there on blind faith that we would be able to do well on the midterm. In the end he was a leniant grader and the course material was very interesting. Beware of the textbook which is so dull","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1053939","quality_rating":4.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0}]