It is something of a paradox that, despite the rapid change in technology, Computer Science pedagogy is in constant peril of falling into (and remaining trapped in) an abyss of staid strategies, monotonous methods, and tired techniques. Furthermore, common views outside the discipline place computer science and the prototypical computer scientist in an esoteric niche with little relevance beyond technological necessity. One potential means of escape from this quandary -- a means to breathe new life into existing courses and to initiate the slow change of popular perception of the discipline -- is to frame course content by big questions of meaning and value. The use of this approach in two quite different types of courses (discrete mathematics and artificial intelligence) is presented with the goal of illustrating its range of applicability, specific methodologies, and potential benefits.
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