Liberal & Fine Arts

If you enjoy expressing yourself in an artistic or creative way and consider yourself a good writer, speaker or designer, this pathway is for you. You can expect a small student-to-teacher ratio, easy transfer opportunities to four-year schools and professors who are experts in their field.

Some highlights include:

  • Courses in literature, philosophy, journalism, communication, foreign languages, library science, theatre, music, art, interior design, graphic design, humanities and more
  • State-of-the-art facilities including the JJC Black Box Theatre, a professional recording studio, art studios, the 2,055 square-foot Laura A. Sprague Art Gallery and more
  • Opportunities to participate in JJC music ensembles, theatrical productions, art gallery exhibits and more

Fine Arts

JJC fine arts students can expect foundational classes taught by expert instructors with experience from around the world.

Fine Arts Virtual Events

  • Art

    Art Exhibit

    Sticks and Stones by Christian Arrecis
    Feb. 8 to March 27

    These unique works (including photograms, rubbings, impressions, embossed paper, photographs and drawings) represent the artist's continued interest in the natural world as well as a search for the unintended and accidental in his own art-making.

    View the Virtual Gallery

  • Music

    About the Musica Viva Concert Series

    Musica Viva, meaning "live music," in Latin, is the only fully professional, entirely free-of-charge concert series of its kind at a college or university in the Chicagoland area. For more than 20 years, Musica Viva has featured outstanding national and international guest artists, JJC faculty and JJC alumni.

    If you enjoy JJC's Musica Viva concerts and wish to help ensure that they continue to be offered free-of-charge in the future, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Musica Viva Donors Fund through the JJC Foundation.

    For more information or to donate, contact Professor Philip Spencer, Coordinator of the Musica Viva Concert Series, at pspencer@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2225.

    Watch our Musica Viva Concert from March 2021

    Musica Viva Concert Series Presents the JJC Faculty Jazz Quintet

    Sunday, April 18, 3 p.m.
    This event will feature:

    • Rich Moore, saxophone/director
    • David Nuccio, piano
    • Steve Jacobson, guitar
    • John Lauler, bass
    • Adam Cowger, drums and cymbals

    JJC's Musica Viva concert series has been the only entirely professional, completely free-of-charge college concert series in the Chicagoland area for more than 20 years.

    Attend the Concert

  • Theatre

    Register to Attend JJC's Audio-Only Production of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

    April 23-24, 7:30 p.m.
    April 24-25, 2 p.m.

    This performance is free and open to the public.

    Synopsis
    George and Lennie have just arrived at a ranch to work for enough money to buy their own place. Lennie is a man-child, a little boy in the body of a dangerously powerful man. It's Lennie's obsessions with things soft and cuddly that have made George cautious about who the gentle giant, with his brute strength, associates with. When a tragedy strikes at their workplace, George is faced with a moral dilemma he will never forget.

    Register to Attend Of Mice and Men
    Of Mice and Men Program

  • Sign Up for Event Notifications

    Want to keep tabs on the latest virtual fine arts events? Sign up to get notified.

    View the Fine Arts event calendar.

     

English, Philosophy & World Languages

A variety of courses in English, journalism, literature, film, philosophy and world languages are offered.

  • About Us | Contact Information

    English, Philosophy & World Languages

    Dr. Michael Thune
    English, Philosophy and World Languages Department Chair
    Office: C-1049
    Phone: 815.280.6663
    Email: mthune@jjc.edu

  • Journalism

    At JJC, you'll learn the latest trends in the journalism field. We offer classes in news reporting, photography, editing, public relations and more!

    Want hands-on experience? JJC's student newspaper, The Blazer, offers students the opportunity to write articles and opinion pieces, take photos, design newspaper pages and learn web and social media strategy.

    See Journalism Classes
    Get Started with a Concentration in Journalism
    Check out our student newspaper, The Blazer

    Journalism

    Bob Marcink
    Professor & Journalism Adviser
    Phone: 815.280.2607
    Email: rmarcink@jjc.edu

Web Design, Development & Social Media

JJC's Web Design, Development & Social Media program provides students with the foundation they need to land a job after graduation or transfer to a four-year school.

Game Design & Development

Students will train for careers using professional software needed for this rapidly growing field.

Transfer to a Four-Year School

You can save thousands on your education by attending JJC your first two semesters compared to a four-year public or private institution.

Study Abroad

As a member of the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP), JJC offers many study abroad opportunities around the world for students of any major. Destinations include Japan, Costa Rica, England, France and more!

  • How to Study Abroad

    At JJC, you can choose to study abroad during the fall, spring or summer semesters. All students who want to study abroad should fill out an application and have it completed by the deadlines below.

    • Spring Program: October 15
    • Summer Program: February 15
    • Fall Program: May 15
       

    More on Study Abroad

Careers

  • Public Relations Specialists

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Public Relations Specialists

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 29,615 2,698
    2021 30,057
    2022 30,439
    2023 30,764
    2024 31,050

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Public Relations Specialists

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,944.76 $66,164.41
    25 $48,604.95
    50 $66,164.41
    75 $94,029.49
    90 $130,590.41

    Education Attainment Levels - Public Relations Specialists

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 0.00
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 0.00
    An Associate Degree 0.00
    A Bachelor's Degree 91.67
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 8.33
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 15,680 1,566
    2021 15,855
    2022 16,012
    2023 16,152
    2024 16,279

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,695.23 $73,571.26
    25 $51,179.72
    50 $73,571.26
    75 $105,828.80
    90 $152,048.69

    Education Attainment Levels - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 5.53
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 39.68
    An Associate Degree 1.70
    A Bachelor's Degree 52.75
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.34
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Graphic Designers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Graphic Designers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 39,718 3,516
    2021 39,693
    2022 39,663
    2023 39,629
    2024 39,612

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Graphic Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $27,391.52 $56,112.72
    25 $38,740.34
    50 $56,112.72
    75 $79,244.85
    90 $116,290.82

    Education Attainment Levels - Graphic Designers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 3.85
    A Certificate 7.69
    Some College 7.69
    An Associate Degree 15.38
    A Bachelor's Degree 61.54
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 3.85
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Interior Designers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Interior Designers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 13,636 1,243
    2021 13,677
    2022 13,703
    2023 13,718
    2024 13,728

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Interior Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $29,867.95 $59,315.78
    25 $42,566.45
    50 $59,315.78
    75 $85,854.06
    90 $135,365.19

    Education Attainment Levels - Interior Designers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 0.00
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 0.00
    An Associate Degree 9.52
    A Bachelor's Degree 90.47
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Sound Engineering Technicians

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 5,498 589
    2021 5,546
    2022 5,582
    2023 5,617
    2024 5,641

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $23,088.19 $61,901.01
    25 $35,236.14
    50 $61,901.01
    75 $99,125.00
    90 $156,109.36

    Education Attainment Levels - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 37.04
    A Certificate 11.11
    Some College 7.41
    An Associate Degree 22.22
    A Bachelor's Degree 22.22
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

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