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The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Big Name Professors: Celebrities in the classroom

Freshmen may be unfamiliar with some of the big names in Foggy Bottom, but many incoming students will soon take classes with GW’s several acclaimed professors – ranging from television journalists to legendary political theorists.

GW professor Frank Sesno is a former bureau chief for CNN and still works as a special correspondent – often appearing on “The Situation Room.” The Emmy-award winning journalist brings more than 25 years of experience to GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs, where he has taught since 2006.

“I’m combining my journalism career with teaching because journalism is teaching,” Sesno said. “I’m enjoying working in the classroom, helping shape students going into journalism. I think it’s important, challenging and fulfilling.”

Sesno will teach a class called Art and Genre of Documentary this fall and an ethics class in the spring.

Another School of Media and Public Affairs professor, Steven Roberts, has spent 32 years as a journalist. Roberts, who is also the husband of NPR reporter Cokie Roberts, has worked at The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report and on numerous news programs.

“I always enjoyed mentoring and guiding young reporters,” Roberts said of his transition to teaching in 1991. This year he will teach Media, Politics and Government and feature writing classes.

The former Harvard Crimson editor still works as a journalist, which he said gives his students a competitive advantage in the field.

“By staying active in journalism and covering politics, I come upon many opportunities for my students to find jobs and internships,” he said.

In the heart of the nation’s capital, GW also boasts some of the most respected political science and international affairs scholars. Professor James Rosenau has taught for 58 years – 15 at GW – and made a career as a world-renowned political scientist with more than 40 books to his credit.

“I find writing and teaching go hand in hand,” Rosenau said.

He teaches two high-level courses, titled The Dynamics of Globalization and Turbulence in World Politics. Rosenau said he welcomes freshmen to take his courses, but some department or adviser approval may be needed.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the world’s foremost Islamic scholars, is a professor of Islamic studies at GW. Nasr, who is originally from Iran, has taught in Foggy Bottom since 1984.

Associate professor of religion at GW, Mohammad Faghfoory, has known Nasr since 1965 and assists him in teaching various courses. He called Nasr “a major source of inspiration for young scholars.”

“Despite all his achievement, or perhaps because of it, he is very humble, has an amazing sense of humor and a kind heart,” Faghfoory said.

Nasr teaches courses including Introduction to Islam, Islamic Art and Spirituality and Persian Sufi Literature.

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