gistfile1.js

  // jQuery barfs because $(empty).data("autocomplete") => undefined
  $(".course-autocomplete").autocomplete({
    source: "/courses/autocomplete.json"
  }).each(function(i,v){
    v.data("autocomplete")._renderItem = function(ul, item) {
                                             return $("<li>")
                                                       .data("item.autocomplete", item)
                                                       .append("<a>" + item.name + "</a>")
                                                       .appendTo(ul);
                                            };

  });