Yes to both. Doesn't 'fundamental' often span a wide range, from bottom-up to top-down? Surely CS fundamentals lie not only at the bottom (e.g. assembly langu

Yes to both. Doesn't 'fundamental' often span a wide range, from bottom-up to top-down? Surely CS fundamentals lie not only at the bottom (e.g. assembly language or discrete math or algorithms), but also at the top (e.g. programming concepts or software design and engineering)? Where would an education in CS be without at least an introduction to high-level concepts like object orientation or computational complexity? And yes, I think Shakespeare is fundamental to the study of English. If the omission of any set of works would have the degree of cultural impact and leave so great a void as overlooking his would, then it qualifies as essential canon, and thereby fundamental.