# ALAN RUBEL — Courses & Reviews | UW–Madison [View on UW Courses](https://uwcourses.com/instructors/ALAN_RUBEL--instructor_dc99818aa7a6f9c9693301ed) ## Dataset ### revision e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349 ### repository twangodev/uwcourses ### schema version 6 ### importer version 7 ### projection id 85abe9ff8837c2c5a134368dcc4cfc85eb723524b21ddeb3d2e953887d2f0c8f ### observed at 2026-09-07T15:55:43.033547+00:00 ### built at 2026-09-11T07:45:51.576183+00:00 ### courses 8951 ### current instructors 5754 ### limited false ### terms * 1272 * 1264 * 1262 * 1254 * 1252 * 1244 * 1242 * 1234 * 1232 * 1224 * 1222 * 1212 * 1204 * 1202 * 1194 * 1192 * 1184 * 1182 * 1174 * 1172 * 1164 * 1162 * 1154 * 1152 * 1144 * 1142 * 1134 * 1132 * 1124 * 1122 * 1114 * 1112 * 1104 * 1102 * 1094 * 1092 * 1084 * 1082 * 1074 * 1072 ### term 1272 ### departments | subject | count | | --------- | ----- | | AAE | 90 | | ABT | 20 | | ACCTIS | 36 | | ACTSCI | 14 | | AFAERO | 10 | | AFRICAN | 87 | | AFROAMER | 71 | | AGROECOL | 21 | | AMERIND | 53 | | ANAT\&PHY | 7 | | ANATOMY | 2 | | ANESTHES | 8 | | ANSCI | 57 | | ANTHRO | 95 | | ART | 125 | | ARTED | 10 | | ARTHIST | 121 | | ASIALANG | 129 | | ASIAN | 109 | | ASIANAM | 28 | | ASTRON | 38 | | ATMOCN | 69 | | BIOCHEM | 51 | | BIOCORE | 10 | | BIOLOGY | 14 | | BIOMDSCI | 18 | | BME | 66 | | BMI | 41 | | BMOLCHEM | 10 | | BOTANY | 69 | | BSE | 44 | | C\&ESOC | 73 | | CBE | 48 | | CHEM | 101 | | CHICLA | 52 | | CIVENGR | 133 | | CLASSICS | 47 | | CNP | 10 | | CNSRSCI | 50 | | COMARTS | 137 | | COMPBIO | 15 | | COMPLIT | 11 | | COMPSCI | 138 | | COUNPSY | 78 | | CRB | 19 | | CS\&D | 71 | | CSCS | 40 | | CURRIC | 193 | | DANCE | 93 | | DERM | 8 | | DS | 88 | | DYSCI | 35 | | ECE | 155 | | ECON | 145 | | EDPOL | 114 | | EDPSYCH | 97 | | ELPA | 70 | | EMA | 53 | | EMERMED | 17 | | ENGL | 206 | | ENTOM | 40 | | ENVIRST | 148 | | EP | 15 | | EPD | 67 | | ESL | 16 | | F\&WECOL | 60 | | FAMMED | 22 | | FINANCE | 50 | | FOLKLORE | 40 | | FOODSCI | 43 | | FRENCH | 63 | | GEN\&WS | 145 | | GENBUS | 72 | | GENECSLR | 17 | | GENETICS | 60 | | GEOG | 113 | | GEOSCI | 83 | | GERMAN | 82 | | GLE | 48 | | GNS | 38 | | GREEK | 27 | | HDFS | 41 | | HEBR-BIB | 13 | | HEBR-MOD | 10 | | HISTORY | 233 | | HISTSCI | 56 | | HONCOL | 13 | | ILS | 43 | | INFOSYS | 9 | | INTEGART | 7 | | INTEGSCI | 22 | | INTER-AG | 18 | | INTER-HE | 11 | | INTER-LS | 22 | | INTEREGR | 16 | | INTLBUS | 21 | | INTLST | 50 | | ISYE | 83 | | ITALIAN | 53 | | JEWISH | 56 | | JOURN | 88 | | KINES | 128 | | LACIS | 26 | | LANDARC | 61 | | LATIN | 24 | | LAW | 120 | | LEGALST | 48 | | LINGUIS | 35 | | LIS | 89 | | LITTRANS | 78 | | LSC | 52 | | M\&ENVTOX | 7 | | MARKETNG | 62 | | MATH | 153 | | MDGENET | 8 | | ME | 130 | | MEDHIST | 43 | | MEDICINE | 60 | | MEDIEVAL | 32 | | MEDPHYS | 39 | | MEDSC-M | 29 | | MEDSC-V | 41 | | MHR | 68 | | MICROBIO | 45 | | MILSCI | 16 | | MM\&I | 22 | | MOLBIOL | 6 | | MS\&E | 59 | | MUSIC | 165 | | MUSPERF | 126 | | NAVSCI | 20 | | NE | 44 | | NEURODPT | 11 | | NEUROL | 7 | | NEURSURG | 4 | | NTP | 11 | | NURSING | 111 | | NUTRSCI | 65 | | OBS\&GYN | 18 | | OCCTHER | 39 | | ONCOLOGY | 14 | | OPHTHALM | 5 | | OTM | 43 | | PATH | 34 | | PATH-BIO | 29 | | PEDIAT | 26 | | PHARMACY | 31 | | PHILOS | 77 | | PHMCOL-M | 11 | | PHMPRAC | 45 | | PHMSCI | 60 | | PHYASST | 37 | | PHYSICS | 88 | | PHYSIOL | 3 | | PHYTHER | 37 | | PLANTSCI | 52 | | PLPATH | 35 | | POLISCI | 192 | | POPHLTH | 58 | | PORTUG | 33 | | PSYCH | 101 | | PSYCHIAT | 22 | | PUBAFFR | 54 | | PUBLHLTH | 23 | | RADIOL | 11 | | REALEST | 41 | | RELIGST | 90 | | RHABMED | 9 | | RMI | 24 | | RP\&SE | 102 | | S\&APHM | 17 | | SCANDST | 73 | | SLAVIC | 89 | | SOC | 149 | | SOCWORK | 87 | | SOILSCI | 46 | | SPANISH | 83 | | SRMED | 21 | | STAT | 94 | | STDYABRD | 52 | | STS | 8 | | SURGERY | 25 | | SURGSCI | 33 | | THEATRE | 91 | | URBRPL | 60 | | UROLOGY | 5 | | ZOOLOGY | 89 | ## instructor ### instructor uid instructor\_dc99818aa7a6f9c9693301ed ### source madgrades ### source instructor id 840786 ### identity basis source\_id ### identity status source\_identified ### name ALAN RUBEL ### first observed at 2026-09-06 23:14:58.172943+00:00 ### last observed at 2026-09-07 15:55:43.033547+00:00 ### ratings #### review count 24 #### quality 3.67 #### difficulty 2.75 #### quality count 24 #### difficulty count 24 #### profile id rmp:581060 #### source url #### match basis exact\_name #### observed at 2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00 #### courses ##### course e0809224294be28ec62cda00 ###### review count 2 ###### quality 3.5 ###### difficulty 2.5 ###### quality count 2 ###### difficulty count 2 ##### course 0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 ###### review count 8 ###### quality 2.62 ###### difficulty 2.62 ###### quality count 8 ###### difficulty count 8 ##### course 72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 ###### review count 1 ###### quality 2 ###### difficulty 3 ###### quality count 1 ###### difficulty count 1 #### bayesian quality 3.6653117197939067 #### prior mean 3.6596857835465957 #### prior weight 20 ### grade statistics #### gpa 3.551 #### graded 2058 #### counts * 1101 * 523 * 230 * 102 * 56 * 17 * 29 #### sections 84 ### current false ### courses None recorded. ### revision e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349 ### instructor url /instructors/ALAN\_RUBEL--instructor\_dc99818aa7a6f9c9693301ed ## history | term | course\_uid | course\_id | title | | ---- | -------------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | 1264 | course\_705fd9d5ce64b6b3f45eaef2 | LIS 399 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1262 | course\_8d8ae629ee39b0bb73b0749e | LEGALST/LIS 460 | SURVEILLANCE, PRIVACY, AND POLICE POWERS | | 1254 | course\_705fd9d5ce64b6b3f45eaef2 | LIS 399 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1254 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1252 | course\_14f8d62c06352032e2a893db | LEGALST/LIS 663 | INTRODUCTION TO CYBERLAW | | 1252 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1244 | course\_4e01ea2885fc0b8742fcae56 | LEGALST 407 | JURISPRUDENCE AND SOCIAL ISSUES | | 1244 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1242 | course\_9c4c66dce5b1c76958a87330 | LIS 340 | TOPICS IN INFORMATION STUDIES - SOCIAL ASPECTS | | 1242 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1234 | course\_14f8d62c06352032e2a893db | LEGALST/LIS 663 | INTRODUCTION TO CYBERLAW | | 1234 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1232 | course\_4db7fc5f917e4736080201bb | LIS 931 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS | | 1232 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1232 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1224 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1224 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1222 | course\_e0809224294be28ec62cda00 | LIS 461 | DATA AND ALGORITHMS: ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1222 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1212 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | | 1212 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1212 | course\_e0809224294be28ec62cda00 | LIS 461 | DATA AND ALGORITHMS: ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1212 | course\_468c4fa5d3e269def4299cb8 | SOC 496 | TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | | 1204 | course\_a856099fc464924e526cb649 | GEN\&WS 320 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN GENDER, WOMEN AND SOCIETY | | 1204 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | | 1204 | course\_d150ebb34fb3350bce42f786 | LEGALST 444 | LAW IN ACTION | | 1204 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1204 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1204 | course\_4db7fc5f917e4736080201bb | LIS 931 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS | | 1204 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1204 | course\_468c4fa5d3e269def4299cb8 | SOC 496 | TOPICS IN SOCIOLOGY | | 1202 | course\_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 | LIS 201 | THE INFORMATION SOCIETY | | 1202 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1194 | course\_cd6ed5ee34c7f48cd4702c2d | LIS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1192 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1184 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1184 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1182 | course\_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 | LIS 201 | THE INFORMATION SOCIETY | | 1182 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1174 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1174 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1174 | course\_4db7fc5f917e4736080201bb | LIS 931 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS | | 1174 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1172 | course\_8d8ae629ee39b0bb73b0749e | LEGALST/LIS 460 | SURVEILLANCE, PRIVACY, AND POLICE POWERS | | 1172 | course\_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 | LIS 201 | THE INFORMATION SOCIETY | | 1172 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1164 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1164 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1164 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1162 | course\_8d8ae629ee39b0bb73b0749e | LEGALST/LIS 460 | SURVEILLANCE, PRIVACY, AND POLICE POWERS | | 1162 | course\_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 | LIS 201 | THE INFORMATION SOCIETY | | 1154 | course\_8d8ae629ee39b0bb73b0749e | LEGALST/LIS 460 | SURVEILLANCE, PRIVACY, AND POLICE POWERS | | 1154 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1144 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1144 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1144 | course\_4db7fc5f917e4736080201bb | LIS 931 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS | | 1142 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | | 1142 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1134 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1134 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1134 | course\_730ad6ca8428d73a51450780 | LIS 999 | INDEPENDENT READING AND RESEARCH | | 1132 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | | 1132 | course\_94cad808faf4fb3116e17197 | LEGALST 699 | DIRECTED STUDY | | 1124 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1124 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1124 | course\_4db7fc5f917e4736080201bb | LIS 931 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION POLICY, MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONS | | 1122 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | | 1114 | course\_26231c24794b336dcd880e1a | LEGALST 450 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE HUMANITIES | | 1114 | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | INFORMATION ETHICS AND POLICY | | 1112 | course\_a6a714e266cd85806df0a286 | LEGALST 400 | TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | ## timeline | term | courses | | ---- | ------- | | 1112 | 1 | | 1114 | 2 | | 1122 | 1 | | 1124 | 3 | | 1132 | 2 | | 1134 | 3 | | 1142 | 2 | | 1144 | 3 | | 1154 | 2 | | 1162 | 2 | | 1164 | 3 | | 1172 | 3 | | 1174 | 4 | | 1182 | 2 | | 1184 | 2 | | 1192 | 1 | | 1194 | 1 | | 1202 | 2 | | 1204 | 8 | | 1212 | 4 | | 1222 | 2 | | 1224 | 2 | | 1232 | 3 | | 1234 | 2 | | 1242 | 2 | | 1244 | 2 | | 1252 | 2 | | 1254 | 2 | | 1262 | 1 | | 1264 | 1 | ## term 1272 ## courses None recorded. ## reviews ### items ```json [ { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTQyNTkzMTY1", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LS460", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2026-02-08 01:07:16 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Pretty challenging course, but I loved it. I think that for as long as you keep up with your readings and attend lecture, you will be fine. Do not underestimate the exams, as they make up a huge part of your grade and are fairly difficult. Helps if you know a little about the Fourth and Fifth Amendment before taking this course. ", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 4, "difficulty_rating": 4 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM1NTYwMzM3", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LIS461", "course_id": "LIS 461", "course_uid": "course_e0809224294be28ec62cda00", "review_date": "2021-12-16 19:11:46 +0000 UTC", "comment": "I routinely forgot that this was supposed to be a class about ethics. For a class about the moral implications surrounding the use of data mining and algorithms he sure does love talking about legality. A lot of the readings are dense and long, but if you just get the jist of what they're saying and watch his online lectures, you should get an A.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 3, "difficulty_rating": 2 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM0MjE3NjAx", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LIS461", "course_id": "LIS 461", "course_uid": "course_e0809224294be28ec62cda00", "review_date": "2020-12-30 20:13:50 +0000 UTC", "comment": "His knowledge about law and related materials is really good and he does a great job of communicating that to students. He is really helpful and accessible outside of class. Overall he's a solid choice and I'd recommend you take a class with him.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 4, "difficulty_rating": 3 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTMyOTA3Mjg0", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LIS201", "course_id": "LIS 201", "course_uid": "course_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1", "review_date": "2020-02-13 01:15:31 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Professor Rubel was by far the best professor I ever had. His lectures were super interesting and engaging and he strove to make sure everyone was engaged with and understanding of the material. Also he's just a super really approachable and clearly cares about your education. Plus 201 is an easy class that made me a better writer for sure.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 2 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI4MzE2NTQ3", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LS450", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2017-05-15 20:11:55 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Alan is obviously passionate about what he teaches which makes lectures that much more enjoyable. There is a lot of reading, but he does a good job at highlighting the most important ones that will be on the exams. The exams are a timed essay, but if you've done the readings or attended lecture you will do fine. Overall great professor", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 3 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:57:15.960866+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI3ODg0NDQ0", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:581060", "instructor_name": "Alan Rubel", "course_label": "LIS201", "course_id": "LIS 201", "course_uid": "course_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1", "review_date": "2017-03-07 00:39:01 +0000 UTC", "comment": "The lectures are interesting, but there is no reason to attend unless you find them interesting. Your grade is based solely on papers and these weekly memos which require little to no effort. There is lots of reading which can be very dry at times. He is passionate though and is worth attending if you find it interesting.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/581060", "quality_rating": 4, "difficulty_rating": 1 } ] ``` ### total 24 ### page 1 ### courses | course\_uid | course\_id | | -------------------------------- | ---------- | | course\_0f3c5b46df0c6f3e2fd183c1 | LIS 201 | | course\_e0809224294be28ec62cda00 | LIS 461 | | course\_72e3437a60c851a731b2b607 | LIS 661 | ### matched true ## social Image false