• At the University of Durham, there is a first year module entitled Introduction to Programming.
• The module includes 42 hours of lectures.
• Although it can be taken by any student (whose timetable permits), it is compulsory for students taking any of the degree courses in Computer Science.
• The module is currently taken by about 125 students.
• First version of the Java course took place during 1998-99. Some changes are being made for 1999-2000.
• Main aim of this paper is to explain the rationale behind the design of the course.
• The paper also points out some of the deficiencies made by books.