Programming Syllabus Article

by clayshannon

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<h2>Computer Programming as a Core Subject</h2>

<p>As of late there is a strong push to <a href="http://code.org/quotes" target="_blank">teach programming to the masses</a>, even beginning at a tender age. Some say &quot;everybody&quot; should learn to code; others say that <a href="http://developers.slashdot.org/story/14/04/11/1449206/michael-bloomberg-you-cant-teach-a-coal-miner-to-code" target="_blank">not everybody will be able to become programmers</a>.</p>

<p>Linux developer Linus Torvalds is referenced <a href="http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/09/linux-creator-linus-torvalds-i-do-not-believe-everybody-should-learn-to-code/" target="_blank">here</a> weighing in on the subject:</p>

<p><em>However, Torvalds clarified that “there may well be lots of people who never realized that they might actually like telling computers what to do.” For this, he says, “computer courses in schools are a great idea” – even if he doesn’t “believe in the everybody-should-learn-to-code thing.”</em></p>

<p>Regardless of your response to those statements, you doubtless agree that at least <em>many</em> people should learn to code. My opinion is that even people who have no desire to program for a living should learn the basics, just so that they understand the world around them better and expand their mental horizons. After all, it doesn't seem like software is &quot;going away&quot; any time soon, and it is advantageous for almost everyone to understand a little bit about how it is created.</p>

<p>Current attempts to modernize schools by incorporating coding classes have not yet determined whether such should fall under the "language" or "science" category (or perhaps something else), but in any case it has become apparent that programming instruction needs to form part of the core curriculum in the modern classroom.</p>
    
<p>With that in mind, I have created an outline, or syllabus, for a programming course targeting those without any previous experience in or specific...

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