So, the term "hacker" and "hacking" has traditionally meant someone who is exploring the limits of systems (whether computer-based on otherwise) in a playful manner, often finding "clever" ways to make the system behave in unintended ways. The term is arguably even broader than that — see the Wikipedia entry on Hacker Culture[1] for more. The use of "hacker" to mean the exploitation of computer systems is more recent, and was traditionally referred to as "cracking". The two terms do have a decent amount of overlap, but the latter is much more commonly associated with malicious intent, whereas hacking really just means that a desire to push systems to their limits and see what kind of cleverness you can pull off!

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_culture

They specifically say in the course overview that they are using the term "hacker" in this sense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_culture

Not "hacker" in this sense: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_hacker

It is you that should consider to stop shoehorning a term with now two common meanings into the one that you prefer. Once upon a time hacker meant nothing of what you are referring to, now it is 'dual use', no need to go overboard in the other direction and forbid the original one. For reference see 'The hacker from MIT'.

- via Hacker News

"Hacker" and "hacking" at MIT have a couple of meanings, neither of which specifically means trying to "hack" into a system. "Hacking" either means 1) Working hard on a problem set or other project or 2) Pulling off a prank on the MIT campus without permission of the administration, e.g. turning the Great Dome into R2D2's head.

So in the context of some people from MIT putting out a list of resources, originally for others at MIT doing #1 above, "hacker" is the right word to use.

Hacking is not limited to security. People use it also to name tinkering and customization-topics.