Certainly, we can introduce computer science without programming. Certainly, computer science is more than just programming. But computer science certainly includes programming, and programming is a critical part of the passion, beauty, joy, awe, and art of computer science. We have to engage with the hard part of broadening participation in computing, by introducing programming. We have to develop the design processes so we can figure out how to introduce programming to a broader audience; we have to develop performances that recruit and engage students; and we have to be free to change programming so that it is meaningful and has a chance to induce passion.
Mark Guzdial (Georgia Tech): Making Programming Meaningful to Induce Passion for Broadening Computing, Future Directions in CS Ed Summit.