[{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQxNjEyODM1","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2025-08-30 20:07:03 +0000 UTC","comment":"This course requires intense note taking, reading, and studying. Be prepared for challeneging exams and take-home papers. The midterm & final were timed, in-class closed note blue book exams in which you would write an essay (luckily he provides the prompt a week prior to the exam). He makes it as pain-free as he can though, & isn't a harsh grader.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNDcyMTIz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2025-01-02 19:40:31 +0000 UTC","comment":"Though his lectures may occasionally feature detours, his deep understanding of the subject is abundantly clear, and he synthesizes complex information into digestible points. Some on this page criticize his grading, yet I found his high standard fair. All critiques I received were justified with notes, which helped me improve later in the course.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwNDAzODU4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2024-12-21 02:17:26 +0000 UTC","comment":"Prof. Keyser is extremely passionate about and well-versed in American legal history, and it shows in his lectures. If you find the subject matter interesting, this guy is a veritable gold mine of information. That said, only 20-25 percent get a grade above a B each term; he grades quite tough. Would highly recommend taking his class anyway.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTQwMDMyNjUz","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2024-11-25 23:46:56 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Keyser's class is challenging but rewarding. The lectures are funny, engaging, and interesting. Attendance is required for success, and keeping up with the heavy reading load will save you trouble later. It's a tough course, but the professor's enthusiasm makes it worth it. Would take it again!","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":3.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5ODMyNTA3","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2024-10-21 01:12:22 +0000 UTC","comment":"This man has a AI implanted in his brain.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM5NDkzNjUw","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2024-05-19 22:08:33 +0000 UTC","comment":"Everyone in these comment ratings thinks this class is super re","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":4.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1NzYzMTI4","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2022-01-17 21:45:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Legal Studies 261 is the most difficult class I've taken at UW. There is hours of reading every week, weekly quizzes and really tough tests. With all that being said, Professor Keyser is a brilliant professor, he lectures all of class so you have to pay attention, but he's truly an amazing professor. His requirements are to help you succeed.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":5.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM1MTA4Nzk2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2021-10-07 04:33:30 +0000 UTC","comment":"AVOID IF YOU CAN. extremely tough grader & gives impossible quizzes.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":2.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0},{"observed_at":"2026-09-07 16:09:59.398399+00:00","run_id":"20260907T155543-ce3781c4","source_review_id":"UmF0aW5nLTM0MTMzMjY2","source_instructor_id":"rmp:2014946","instructor_name":"Richard  Keyser","course_label":"LEGALST261","course_id":"HISTORY/LEGALST 261","course_uid":"course_d5b2a5e9343df2c9391f9384","review_date":"2020-12-18 05:52:32 +0000 UTC","comment":"Professor Keyser is an amazing lecturer and I learned a lot of interesting things from this class. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I took this, but, his quizzes are impossible and his papers are pretty tough. I personally would not take this class again, but if you are in this major, you will learn a lot. Just be ready for a tough class.","source_url":"https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/2014946","quality_rating":3.0,"difficulty_rating":5.0}]