As a kid I never thought about it's level design, but retroactively I have huge respect for the developers (and to the author of the article for bring it to me).
I wonder if such things are taught in today's game design courses.
No. Kids going through game programs can barely program, except for a few outliers. The courses tend to be quite lightweight, and the programs tend to be very non-selective. They tend to be marketed to and attract poor students who couldn't get into / don't see the value in a real university.
Instructors may be aware of these techniques but would be hard-pressed to turn them into assignments that wouldn't fail all but a couple of people in the class.
I wonder if such things are taught in today's game design courses.