There will be many opportunities for discussion in class, mostly about art, aesthetic issues, and your projects. Strong class participation indicates strong interest in the subject, and is a deciding factor in the final grade. These Computer Art classes are no exception. Students are expected to notify me when they are absent from class. A sudden illness, or emergency, will be taken into account, as will the student's attendance, and work up to that point.
Punctuality is also important, and is factored in with attendance.
Late arrivals disrupt the class atmosphere, esp. Please arrive promptly. The fact that you have your own copy of software at home, does NOT exempt you from regular attendance of the class. Like any other college-level course, this class is based on the principle that attendance is an obligatory class requirement. Obviously, there is no room for hostility, disruptiveness, or surliness, but just as damaging to class morale is an attitude of disengagement, or apathy.