[mdlug] how would you teach a class?

[Robert Meier]

Dean,

I highly recommend
  "The Art of Unix Programming"
  by Eric Raymond
  pub. by Addison-Wesley
  ISBN:0-13-142901-9
  http://catb.org/~esr/writings/taoup/

The book is an accurate summary of computer science concepts
(i.e. how to make the computer work for you,
rather than you work for the computer).
It is entertaining and uses unix history to illustrate why the
concepts arose (i.e. what worked, what didn't).

The book is arranged in a simple-to-complex block order,
so its table of contents makes a good starting point for a syllabus,
and each "Rule of" can be the start of a lesson plan.

The book teaches understanding principles rather than rote recipes,
so students are able to adapt its teachings when they get home.

Suggesting,
-- 
Bob

  "If you can buy chicken nuggets in packs of 6, 9, or 20,
   what is the largest number you cannot buy?
   (rot13) sbegl-guerr"
      -- unknown