# JAMES MESSINA — Courses & Reviews | UW–Madison [View on UW Courses](https://uwcourses.com/instructors/JAMES_MESSINA--instructor_9d5be4120e55e846de870871) ## 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\_9d5be4120e55e846de870871 ### source madgrades ### source instructor id 3630177 ### identity basis source\_id ### identity status source\_identified ### name JAMES MESSINA ### 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 41 #### quality 4.9 #### difficulty 2.63 #### quality count 41 #### difficulty count 41 #### profile id rmp:1761516 #### source url #### match basis exact\_name #### observed at 2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00 #### courses ##### course 9135c71251486b5b91c37031 ###### review count 1 ###### quality 5 ###### difficulty 4 ###### quality count 1 ###### difficulty count 1 ##### course 432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 ###### review count 3 ###### quality 5 ###### difficulty 2 ###### quality count 3 ###### difficulty count 3 #### bayesian quality 4.493339601162819 #### prior mean 3.6596857835465957 #### prior weight 20 ### grade statistics #### gpa 3.436 #### graded 1753 #### counts * 697 * 555 * 302 * 100 * 65 * 7 * 27 #### sections 65 ### current false ### courses None recorded. ### revision e243353dcb7d79b7247ced91d69443ef4c2a6349 ### instructor url /instructors/JAMES\_MESSINA--instructor\_9d5be4120e55e846de870871 ## history | term | course\_uid | course\_id | title | | ---- | -------------------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------------- | | 1264 | course\_3b120ec1ba8cd3bb6069f791 | PHILOS 454 | CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHERS | | 1264 | course\_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556 | PHILOS 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK | | 1262 | course\_5e5a87f73ce273d67355c810 | PHILOS 681 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS | | 1254 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1254 | course\_a7560fb2916e84ab1f0cf0e4 | PHILOS 701 | READING SEMINAR | | 1254 | course\_5c7fc07082dddc0218cf51d2 | PHILOS 835 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1254 | course\_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556 | PHILOS 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK | | 1252 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1252 | course\_3b120ec1ba8cd3bb6069f791 | PHILOS 454 | CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHERS | | 1244 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1244 | course\_3b120ec1ba8cd3bb6069f791 | PHILOS 454 | CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHERS | | 1244 | course\_2c81e4f4233fa57ad8c56280 | PHILOS 682 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS | | 1244 | course\_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556 | PHILOS 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK | | 1242 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1242 | course\_9135c71251486b5b91c37031 | PHILOS 503 | THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE | | 1242 | course\_5e5a87f73ce273d67355c810 | PHILOS 681 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS | | 1234 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1234 | course\_a7560fb2916e84ab1f0cf0e4 | PHILOS 701 | READING SEMINAR | | 1234 | course\_c202f1d94774570dee955c5c | PHILOS 830 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1232 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1232 | course\_9135c71251486b5b91c37031 | PHILOS 503 | THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE | | 1224 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1224 | course\_3b120ec1ba8cd3bb6069f791 | PHILOS 454 | CLASSICAL PHILOSOPHERS | | 1224 | course\_2c81e4f4233fa57ad8c56280 | PHILOS 682 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS | | 1224 | course\_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556 | PHILOS 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK | | 1222 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1222 | course\_5e5a87f73ce273d67355c810 | PHILOS 681 | SENIOR HONORS THESIS | | 1222 | course\_5c7fc07082dddc0218cf51d2 | PHILOS 835 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1204 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1204 | course\_97698a6ee4d9ce06a0f4a474 | PHILOS 599 | DIRECTED STUDY | | 1202 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1202 | course\_5c7fc07082dddc0218cf51d2 | PHILOS 835 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1194 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1194 | course\_03d8e9d4d1a907568be73bcd | PHILOS 691 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1192 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1192 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1192 | course\_03d8e9d4d1a907568be73bcd | PHILOS 691 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1184 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1184 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1184 | course\_26e8125a75c5989423cc9076 | PHILOS 699 | DIRECTED STUDY | | 1184 | course\_2669442b26c0a7866da3daa3 | PHILOS 990 | RESEARCH AND THESIS | | 1182 | course\_37ed8e07fa813eb87e1fe2d2 | PHILOS 692 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1174 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1174 | course\_03d8e9d4d1a907568be73bcd | PHILOS 691 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1174 | course\_a7560fb2916e84ab1f0cf0e4 | PHILOS 701 | READING SEMINAR | | 1174 | course\_c202f1d94774570dee955c5c | PHILOS 830 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1172 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1164 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1164 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1162 | course\_48d8bbce647980009c793be8 | GERMAN 560 | TOPICS IN GERMAN STUDIES | | 1162 | course\_c202f1d94774570dee955c5c | PHILOS 830 | ADVANCED HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY | | 1152 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1152 | course\_155952ab71deb16c23e9a4cb | PHILOS 504 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN THE THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE | | 1152 | course\_fc7f51f78b28005b0e94585b | PHILOS 799 | DIRECTED STUDY | | 1144 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1144 | course\_9135c71251486b5b91c37031 | PHILOS 503 | THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE | | 1144 | course\_37ed8e07fa813eb87e1fe2d2 | PHILOS 692 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1144 | course\_26e8125a75c5989423cc9076 | PHILOS 699 | DIRECTED STUDY | | 1142 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | | 1142 | course\_5dd01c92a38cc0b23bf30de9 | PHILOS 522 | SPECIAL TOPIC | | 1142 | course\_03d8e9d4d1a907568be73bcd | PHILOS 691 | SENIOR THESIS | | 1134 | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY | | 1134 | course\_289e73f4cd1b9bba4f865556 | PHILOS 999 | INDEPENDENT WORK | | 1132 | course\_ea9add99509b4fc2854bb031 | PHILOS 432 | HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY | ## timeline | term | courses | | ---- | ------- | | 1132 | 1 | | 1134 | 2 | | 1142 | 3 | | 1144 | 4 | | 1152 | 3 | | 1162 | 2 | | 1164 | 2 | | 1172 | 1 | | 1174 | 4 | | 1182 | 1 | | 1184 | 4 | | 1192 | 3 | | 1194 | 2 | | 1202 | 2 | | 1204 | 2 | | 1222 | 3 | | 1224 | 4 | | 1232 | 2 | | 1234 | 3 | | 1242 | 3 | | 1244 | 4 | | 1252 | 2 | | 1254 | 4 | | 1262 | 1 | | 1264 | 2 | ## term 1272 ## courses None recorded. ## reviews ### items ```json [ { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTQxMTQ0MjI2", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "PHI101", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2025-05-03 15:28:46 +0000 UTC", "comment": "James is so awesome. He encourages debate and conversation in his class and you can tell he absolutely loves to teach and he loves philosophy. This class was easily my favorite I had this semester, I would recommend him to anyone. ", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 2 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM5OTEyMDAx", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "PHI101", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2024-11-08 03:06:55 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Probably my favorite teacher that I have ever had. Hilarious, engaging, and knows what he's talking about. No matter what argument someone has he is ready to provide a counter which makes the discussion during lecture fun every time. I genuinely think this class has made me a better critical thinker. It is easy overall and you'll never be bored. ", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 2 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM5NzM5MDk0", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "432", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2024-09-12 15:28:55 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Extremely inviting and cool lectures. Brings everyone together and knows everyone's names while having great discussions. Not to mention he is hilarious. Recommend to everyone. ", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 3 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM5MzQxNzIx", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "432", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2024-05-02 17:24:25 +0000 UTC", "comment": "Find his classes and take them.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 3 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM5MjUyNTM3", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "PHI432", "course_id": null, "course_uid": null, "review_date": "2024-04-24 17:20:19 +0000 UTC", "comment": "James is one of the best professors I have had in my four years here in Madison. He shows his passion for teaching and philosophy in every lecture and is the funniest professor I have ever had. He is incredible, I think every student interested in philosophy should take a course with him before they graduate.", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 3 }, { "observed_at": "2026-09-07 16:34:38.927986+00:00", "run_id": "20260907T155543-ce3781c4", "source_review_id": "UmF0aW5nLTM4NjQyNzE3", "source_instructor_id": "rmp:1761516", "instructor_name": "James Messina", "course_label": "PHILOS503", "course_id": "PHILOS 503", "course_uid": "course_9135c71251486b5b91c37031", "review_date": "2023-12-13 03:31:52 +0000 UTC", "comment": "As a philosophy major, James is a gem in the department. He is energetic and funny, constantly making the material easier to understand with his humor. Attendance and participation matter, but he is very understanding in personal cases. We were graded on four papers and five discussion posts. ", "source_url": "https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/professor/1761516", "quality_rating": 5, "difficulty_rating": 4 } ] ``` ### total 41 ### page 1 ### courses | course\_uid | course\_id | | -------------------------------- | ---------- | | course\_432c74beba85cb7bdc1287f7 | PHILOS 101 | | course\_9135c71251486b5b91c37031 | PHILOS 503 | ### matched true ## social Image false