Artificial Intelligence as the Liberal Arts of Computer Science

Abstract

We suggest that artificial intelligence be presented as a broad, interdisciplinary, humanistic area of study taught through several courses. We suggest avoiding problem sets, examinations, and other elements of engineering pedagogy; we favor curriculum structures that encourage original student research, self-directed programming projects, and the development of connections between diverse topic areas. In this short paper we describe a "liberal arts" approach to introductory artificial intelligence education and its implementation in the cognitive science program at Hampshire College.