# BYRON SHAFER — Courses & Reviews | UW–Madison

[View on UW Courses](https://uwcourses.com/instructors/BYRON_SHAFER)

## 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\_038df3deb3db861d28d7265c

### source

madgrades

### source instructor id

3350040

### identity basis

source\_id

### identity status

source\_identified

### name

BYRON SHAFER

### 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

10

#### quality

4

#### difficulty

2.9

#### quality count

10

#### difficulty count

10

#### profile id

rmp:595644

#### source url

<https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644>

#### match basis

exact\_name

#### observed at

2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00

#### courses

#### bayesian quality

3.7731238556977305

#### prior mean

3.6596857835465957

#### prior weight

20

### grade statistics

#### gpa

3.692

#### graded

73

#### counts

* 43
* 17
* 11
* 2
* 0
* 0
* 0

#### sections

48

### current

false

### courses

None recorded.

### revision

e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349

### instructor url

/instructors/BYRON\_SHAFER

## history

| term | course\_uid                      | course\_id  | title                       |
| ---- | -------------------------------- | ----------- | --------------------------- |
| 1184 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1182 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1182 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1182 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1182 | course\_7ca3686bd02a900eeb9fd3ab | POLISCI 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK            |
| 1174 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1172 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1172 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1172 | course\_7ca3686bd02a900eeb9fd3ab | POLISCI 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK            |
| 1164 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1164 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1164 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1162 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1154 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1152 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1152 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1144 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1142 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1134 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1124 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1124 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1124 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1122 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1114 | course\_e868bb5e53380095ee4bfc59 | POLISCI 682 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS        |
| 1114 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1114 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1114 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1112 | course\_ea2800c3a5b22f286aac0a0c | POLISCI 681 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS        |
| 1112 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1104 | course\_e868bb5e53380095ee4bfc59 | POLISCI 682 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS        |
| 1104 | course\_865b1bb72dbb40a60d118741 | POLISCI 699 | DIRECTED STUDY              |
| 1104 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1104 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1104 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1102 | course\_ea2800c3a5b22f286aac0a0c | POLISCI 681 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS        |
| 1094 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1094 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1094 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1094 | course\_7ca3686bd02a900eeb9fd3ab | POLISCI 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK            |
| 1084 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1084 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1082 | course\_865b1bb72dbb40a60d118741 | POLISCI 699 | DIRECTED STUDY              |
| 1082 | course\_7ca3686bd02a900eeb9fd3ab | POLISCI 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK            |
| 1074 | course\_865b1bb72dbb40a60d118741 | POLISCI 699 | DIRECTED STUDY              |
| 1074 | course\_0ad086f79f3d4866d9b151ff | POLISCI 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS         |
| 1072 | course\_f222ee0b9afcac54a9bc67b9 | POLISCI 900 | TOPICS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
| 1072 | course\_ade02c971052b9efcfcf17eb | POLISCI 904 | SEMINAR-AMERICAN POLITICS   |
| 1072 | course\_7ca3686bd02a900eeb9fd3ab | POLISCI 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK            |

## timeline

| term | courses |
| ---- | ------- |
| 1072 | 3       |
| 1074 | 2       |
| 1082 | 2       |
| 1084 | 2       |
| 1094 | 4       |
| 1102 | 1       |
| 1104 | 5       |
| 1112 | 2       |
| 1114 | 4       |
| 1122 | 1       |
| 1124 | 3       |
| 1134 | 1       |
| 1142 | 1       |
| 1144 | 1       |
| 1152 | 2       |
| 1154 | 1       |
| 1162 | 1       |
| 1164 | 3       |
| 1172 | 3       |
| 1174 | 1       |
| 1182 | 4       |
| 1184 | 1       |

## term

1272

## courses

None recorded.

## reviews

### items

```json
[
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTI1ODM5MTUy",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "POLISCI184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2015-12-28 18:48:20 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "To offer a more pessimistic rating, I would not recommend this professor at all. There were only two grades for the entire class, so if one grade is poor, then the final course grade will also be poor. Minimal work though, none of the reading mattered besides the terms. The term paper at the end is tough, so get a head start on it!",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 3,
    "difficulty_rating": 4
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIyNDIxNzQ4",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "POLISCI184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2013-12-03 14:32:00 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "The 2.5 hour lecture does get long, but he is a very knowledgeable person.  HIs past experiences allow him to go more in-depth on topics other professors don't.  However, lecture is very boring.  You have a midterm that is wroth 40% of your grade and a 20-30 page term paper.  Study the lecture and terms from the book and you'll get an A.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 1
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIyMzE3MjQ2",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "POLISCI184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2013-11-14 14:15:50 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Don't be put off by the 2.5 hour lecture. He has so much real experience in the field that his lectures are always fascinating. Even though he seems super formal, he is very kind and willing to help.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 1
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTIwNTc5MDc2",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "POLI184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2012-08-16 00:50:11 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "The material wasn't thrilling, but that being said Shafer is a very knowledgable professor and I would definitely recommend him. The class consisted of a midterm, a final paper, and a final exam... which was cancelled (based on what the class voted on). Start the paper early, 20 page minimum requires a lot of work.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 5,
    "difficulty_rating": 2
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTE4MzQ0MDk5",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "POLSC184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2011-04-01 14:48:16 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Very enjoyable and interesting guy, class was a little boring but overall worth it. One midterm, which was pretty easy and a 25-30 page paper. Overall pretty good class.",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  },
  {
    "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:50:44.941705+00:00",
    "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4",
    "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTE2NjEyMjM0",
    "source_instructor_id": "rmp:595644",
    "instructor_name": "Byron Shafer",
    "course_label": "PSCI184",
    "course_id": null,
    "course_uid": null,
    "review_date": "2009-12-20 22:48:53 +0000 UTC",
    "comment": "Professor Shafer knows a lot about American government.  However, class was fairly boring (due to long lecture).  Mid term was pretty easy, and the class votes whether or not to have a final after midterms.  20-30 page research paper also due the day of the final...ouch!",
    "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/595644",
    "quality_rating": 4,
    "difficulty_rating": 3
  }
]
```

### total

10

### page

1

### courses

None recorded.

### matched

true

## social Image

false