The Core has frequently inspired as much acrimony as intellectual curiosity, and no one class has borne so much controversy as the disproportionately-loathed Frontiers of Science. From amid the tepid grumblings of the meekly subjected, however, comes the roar of the freshman class, taking a stand – where else? – on Facebook. Sports, science, and general “file under S” categories correspondent Christopher Morris-Lent reports from the front lines of first-years’ quarrel over David Helfand’s brainchild.

Few topics outside the quality of food at John Jay can arouse the sort of passionate vitriol or resigned apathy amongst freshmen that Frontiers of Science does. With half of Columbia College’s Class of 2010 already subjected to the insidious doctrine of climate change, astrophysics, and other infinitely complicated concepts such as bar graphs and standard deviations, the CC ‘10 Student Council has devised another way to pretend that it does something constructive, creating under the guise of a Facebook “event” a sort of forum where the disillusioned can air their frustrations and the contented can defend the third nipple of the Core, either on the wall of the event itself, or by sending mail to Academic Affairs.

Barely four hours into the proceedings, a lively rhetorical boxing match has already began to explode on the wall, with those who thought Frontiers bit the proverbial big one comprising one side, and those who thought it was merely mediocre forming the other. The administrators, composed of the aforementioned CC ‘10 apparatchiks and a groupie or two, are collectively playing the roles of both the impartial referee and Don King.

A blow-by-blow, after the jump!

Five minutes into the fight, Student One attempted to open things up with a defensive right hook, heavy with trepidation but precise in its placement:

The concept behind FroSci is a good one, however I feel that the lectures are very far separated from the seminars. The lectures seem like the real Frontiers of Science, with interesting and thought-provoking information presented by a very capable staff. However, the seminars seem like a statistics class.

In response to the sluggish punch, Student Two went for the jugular with reckless abandon, stating:

People who are interested in science find it boring and tedious, while people who are not interested in science have trouble caring about the class and learn nothing.

But Student Three was able to block the savage attack by channeling the power of The Man:

I agree with Student one. The lectures were really interesting, and it’s a testament to the intellectual strength of our school to be able to hear lectures from such accomplished and knowledgable professors.

And finally, student four tried to bite off the ear of his adversary with the epigrammatic:

dumbest class

Maybe everyone should be made to take University Writing during his first semester instead. Hegel would have been proud.

With about six days left to post one’s thoughts, the outcome of the match is still in doubt, though a knockout blow to Frontiers seems outside the realm of possibility. Nevertheless, debate is good for the community, even if nobody that matters pays attention to you. Pontificators of the CC class of 2010 (whose last names fall between L and Z), opine! You have nothing to lose but a few minutes of your time.