Computer science education and the ideal of liberal arts

Abstract

With the watchword, slogan, and panacea of today being “Back to Basics”, it is especially appropriate that the ACM conference should look at the relationship of computers, computer science education, and the liberal arts. In keeping with realistic, pragmatic program learning, it is necessary that we define the terms to be used and the nature of the problem; that we review the budding efforts toward the solution; and finally, that we offer our own suggestions for the future. In order to avoid the inevitable conflict involved in defining what comprises liberal arts, we shall deal with the more global issue of describing the concept of liberal arts education.