Eight ASU political science professors candidly debated issues from likely outcomes in the 2006 congressional elections to which political leader could win a dance-off at Tuesday night's Nerd Fest II.
Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, put on the event to help build a community within the Department of Political Science. More than 350 students, faculty and alumni attended the event in Neeb Hall.
"I just love seeing a professor in a fun, unscripted format," said Corey Harris, president of Pi Sigma Alpha, who acted as the moderator for the event. "It's something more than just going to class."
Eight professors were set up in two panels of four and asked student-generated questions.
Some of the topics discussed included the effect of the media on politics, Harriet Miers' Supreme Court nomination and which political leaders could be most or least trusted to serve as babysitters.
The honor society held the event last semester and received an "incredible and positive response from students and faculty," Harris said.
At last years' event, 140 students attended. The event was so successful it was added to be part of Homecoming festivities, Harris added.
Mallory Hutchison, a management intern in the political science department, said many students want to see their professors in a more laid-back setting.
Last year, Hutchinson brought Pi Sigma Alpha back to life after it hadn't been active for five years. Along with Nerd Fest, Hutchison helped create a student lounge in the department to foster relationships between students and faculty.
Students who weren't political science majors attended because the topics discussed ranged from pop culture to news and politics, Harris said.
Other students attended to earn extra credit in classes and to find out their professors' real views on issues.
"You always wonder what their true political beliefs are," said Jessica Ripplinger, a senior political science and sociology major.
The event also promised to be a funny night, said Abraham Blakeley, a senior political science major who also attended.
As professors joked with each other and made cracks about political history and current issues, students clapped and laughed along.
Kim Fridkin, a political science professor, said the event was so fun last year that she was happy to participate this time around.
"It is interesting for [students] to see their political science professor in a different environment than lecturing," she said.
Reach the reporter at amanda.m.gonser@asu.edu.
