Arts · Languages · Humanities

Explores the elements and principles of design in two-dimensional composition through a series of hands-on, problem-solving projects.

Engage in the study and practice of various representational drawing techniques using a range of media.

The course covers techniques, tools, and methodologies for ink and watercolor sketching and drawing, with a focus on landscapes and architectural subjects.

Students will learn to use pencil and ink sketches to explore composition, shape, form, texture, and value. The curriculum fosters proficiency in one-point, two-point, and aerial (atmospheric) perspective. Instruction emphasizes applying watercolor to render ink sketches and drawings, with a focus on realistic landscapes, street scenes, skies, and bodies of water.

 

Practice drawing from draped models with supplementary studies in human anatomy to enhance understanding of form and structure

Students acquire basic glass cutting, foiling, and soldering skills while creating stained glass art objects. The lead came method of stained class will be used as students assemble their own lead panel.

Students acquire glass cutting, foiling, and soldering skills while creating stained glass art objects. The lead came method of stained class will be used as students assemble their own lead panel.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of camera operation, the science of light, composition, and picture taking. Concepts of digital photography are taught through active learning techniques.

This course provides an introduction to art history by examining art, architecture, and visual cultures from the ancient and medieval periods. Students will develop an understanding of artistic terminology. The curriculum addresses political, cultural, social, economic, and religious transformations as represented in visual art. The course emphasizes the role of art as a medium for communication, documentation, and inspiration, highlighting its function in reflecting and shaping cultural and historical developments.

This course provides an introduction to art history by examining art, architecture, and visual cultures from the 15th century to the present. Students will develop an understanding of artistic terminology. The curriculum addresses political, cultural, social, economic, and religious transformations as represented in visual art. The course emphasizes the role of art as a medium for communication, documentation, and inspiration, highlighting its function in reflecting and shaping cultural and historical developments.

This course introduces foundational techniques in modeling small-scale sculpture using terra cotta and stoneware clays, with an emphasis on the basic principles of three-dimensional design, including form, structure, and spatial composition

This course introduces advanced techniques for modeling small-scale sculptures using terra cotta or stoneware clays, while deepening the exploration of three-dimensional design principles

This course focuses on the application of overglaze painting techniques on the surfaces of china and tile blanks

An introduction to ceramics with multiple hand-building and forming techniques, slab building, sculpture, wheel throwing, high temperature firing, glaze application, and safety procedures.

Beginning Ceramics 2 focuses on advanced techniques in hand forming, sculpting, slab building, wheel work, glazing, and the design and execution of original 3-dimensional forms and functional pottery. 

Creation and implementation of diverse craft projects.

Building upon the foundation of ART 171, this course advances the creative design and practical execution of a variety of craft techniques.

Fundamentals of jewelry making, covers basic fabrication of jewelry from sheet and wire, covers forming and soldering. An additional fee is required.

Fundamentals of jewelry making, covers basic fabrication of jewelry from sheet and wire, covers forming and soldering. An additional fee is required. 

Students will discover, or rediscover, their love for art in this relaxed, supportive mixed media class. Students will explore various mediums to compose a work of art, including collage, ink, paper, acrylic paint, metal foil, and print making.

This course explores the fundamentals of identifying, selecting, cutting, shaping, and polishing minerals and gemstones.  

An additional fee is required.

This introductory course focuses on the identification, selection, cutting, shaping, and polishing of minerals and gemstones. A materials fee is required.

This course introduces software applications used to improve the appearance of digital images with an emphasis on nondestructive editing techniques. Fundamental photography concepts of exposure, composition, color and tones are integrated with the technical skills required to manipulate images.  

An introductory course in Photoshop focusing on both technical and creative aspects of raster image creation, editing, and compositing, with an emphasis on applying core design principles and visual concepts.

This course examines intermediate and advanced camera techniques, diverse photographic styles, lighting methods, compositional strategies, digital photography, and digital photo editing processes.

This course builds upon foundational acrylic painting skills by exploring a wide range of techniques, materials, and artistic approaches. Topics include tool and material usage, composition, color theory and mixing, underpainting, washes, glazing, masking, and the effective use of light, shadow, and depth.

This course delves deeper into advanced acrylic painting techniques, materials, and creative approaches. Students will further develop their skills in composition, color theory and mixing, underpainting, washes, glazing, masking, and the use of light, shadow, and texture to create depth and visual impact.
 

This course focuses on advanced watercolor techniques, styles, and methods, emphasizing skill development and the creation of polished, professional-quality artwork.

This course explores advanced watercolor painting techniques, styles, and methods, with a focus on refining artistic skills and producing polished, professional-quality artwork.

This course builds on the concepts and skills acquired in ART 161 and ART 162. The course is designed to focus on independent studio study of hand-forming, wheel throwing, advanced glazing, decorative techniques, and high temperature firing.

Building on concepts and skills from ART 161, ART 162, and ART 261, this course further explores wheel work, glazing, decorative processes, and differences in clay bodies through an independent study style that allows students to continue to develop their creative styles.

This course explores advanced jewelry fabrication techniques, including chain making and box construction, with a focus on cultivating personal expression in design. 

Please note that an additional materials fee applies.

Development of American Sign Language and its application within the Deaf community. Emphasizes vocabulary, structure, grammar, dialogues, and narratives.

Concurrent enrollment in ASL 101L is required.

This course is designed for students aiming to improve their reading skills, strengthen their academic strategies and achieve greater success in college. The curriculum emphasizes the development of core reading skills, such as word analysis, vocabulary acquisition, information literacy, and reading strategies necessary for comprehension at both literal and interpretive levels. Completion of this course satisfies the reading proficiency requirement.

Develop skills in reading and composing sentences, paragraphs, and brief essays, with a focus on the stages of the writing process. The course also covers fundamental grammar and punctuation rules as they apply to writing. Lab sessions will support students through each step of the writing process and provide targeted practice in grammar and writing techniques.

This course places a strong emphasis on the development of clear, effective writing and the cultivation of critical reading skills. Students are expected to produce a minimum of 7,000 words through a range of formal and informal writing assignments, including multiple revised drafts throughout the semester. Students whose placement scores fall near the threshold are advised to enroll in ENG 110, English Composition I Lab, which is specifically designed to support and enhance the learning experience in ENG 101.

Builds upon the foundational skills and concepts introduced in ENG 101, with continued emphasis on academic research, critical reading, analytical thinking, and effective written communication. Over the course of the semester, students are required to produce a minimum of 7,000 words, including multiple revised drafts.

Offers tailored instructional support for students enrolled in ENG 101 and other writing courses. The course emphasizes the development of essential skills and processes involved in effective narrative, analytical, argumentative, and source-based writing. Instruction also addresses issues related to punctuation, grammar, and style as they arise in the context of student work.

Offers individualized instructional support for students enrolled in ENG 102 and other advanced writing courses. The course focuses on the development of skills and processes essential for producing effective argumentative and source-based writing, analysis, as well as addressing issues related to grammar, punctuation, and stylistic refinement.

Focuses on the development and application of advanced critical reading strategies necessary for the comprehension and analysis of college-level texts.

This course will focus on publishing Gila Community College’s yearbook. The course will focus on gathering and processing news. Includes instruction in news writing and editing, photojournalism, layout and graphic design, and professional standards and ethics. Students collaborate and manage projects, applying conceptual and design principles to produce a yearbook.

This course is designed to assist students in writing their personal history. It explores best practices, theories, methodologies, and issues surrounding personal history writing. There is no better time than today to start writing your personal history. 

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of selected works of world literature spanning from antiquity through the Renaissance period. Emphasis is placed on the historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts that shaped these texts, as well as on the development of literary forms and themes across diverse civilizations. Throughout the semester, students are expected to produce a written analysis and reflection, including multiple revised drafts, demonstrating engagement with the readings and the application of critical literary analysis skills.

This course provides a critical examination of selected works of world literature from the Renaissance through the modern era. Emphasis is placed on the historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts that inform these texts. Over the duration of the semester, students are required to produce a minimum of 2,500 words of written work, including revised drafts, demonstrating engagement with literary analysis and interpretation.

This course offers a critical study of selected literary works from the Middle Ages through the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century. It introduces students to a broad spectrum of cultural traditions, worldviews, and belief systems as reflected in the literature of these historical periods. Throughout the semester, students are required to produce a minimum of 2,500 words of written analysis, including revised drafts, demonstrating engagement with the texts and the development of interpretive and critical thinking skills.

This course offers a critical examination of selected literary works from the Romantic Period to the contemporary era. Through the study of diverse texts, students engage with a wide range of cultural contexts, perspectives, and belief systems that have shaped literary expression across these historical periods. Over the course of the semester, students are required to produce a minimum of 2,500 words of written work, including revised drafts, demonstrating their ability to analyze, interpret, and respond to literature in a scholarly manner.

This course offers a critical examination of selected literary texts from the origins of Native American storytelling through the period of the American Civil War. Through close reading and analysis, students will explore the development of American literature in relation to the historical, cultural, and ideological contexts of the Americas. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how literature reflects and shapes the evolving identity of the nation. Over the course of the semester, students are required to produce a minimum of 2,500 words through a combination of formal and informal writing assignments, including multiple revisions.

This course provides a critical study of representative works of American literature from the post-Civil War era to the contemporary period. Through close reading and analysis, students will explore the evolution of American literary expression in relation to the historical, cultural, and ideological developments of the United States. Emphasis is placed on understanding literature as both a reflection of and a response to the nation's changing identity. Over the course of the semester, students are expected to produce a minimum of 2,500 words through a combination of formal and informal writing assignments, including multiple revisions.

This course is designed to assist students in writing a personal history. It is an interdisciplinary academic writing course exploring best practices, theories, methodologies, and issues surrounding personal history writing. There is no better time than today to start writing your personal history. 

This course prepares individuals to perform a variety of musical genres and styles as solo and/or ensemble performers. 

This course is a continuation of MUS 125. It prepares individuals to perform a variety of musical genres and styles as solo and/or ensemble performers. 

This course builds on what has been learned in MUS 125 and MUS 126. This course prepares individuals to better master their instrument(s) as they perform a variety of musical genres and styles as solo and/or ensemble performers. 

This course builds on what has been learned in MUS 225. This course prepares individuals to better master their instrument(s) as they perform a variety of musical genres and styles as solo and/or ensemble performers. 

By engaging with foundational acting techniques, students enhance spontaneity and communication skills. They develop keen observation, heightened body language awareness, improved timing, and expanded imagination. A progressive series of theatre exercises introduces the essential principles of stage presentation. This course builds on Creative Theatre I.

This course examines how films convey stories through narrative structure, character development, and thematic elements. Instruction incorporates film analysis, still photographs, and film clips. Guest lectures are occasionally delivered by industry professionals. Films pertinent to course topics are screened at a local theatre or in the classroom. The curriculum emphasizes the analysis and appreciation of cinematic techniques, including mise en scène, camera work, editing, lighting, and sound design.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the history, aesthetics, and cultural impact of cinema from its inception in the late nineteenth century to the present. Participants will examine the development of film as both an artistic medium and a global industry, focusing on significant movements, technological advancements, and influential figures. Through screenings, readings, demonstrations, and guided discussions, students will analyze films across diverse genres, styles, and national traditions to understand how cinema reflects and shapes society.

Storytelling has been a fundamental means of preserving culture and history throughout human civilization. Stories form the foundation of both ancient and modern theater and journalism. The course introduces students to a range of narrative styles, forms, and genres, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the historical significance of storytelling and its role in communicating and preserving histories, cultures, and contemporary events.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of screenwriting and script development for film, television, stage, and digital media. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and writing exercises, students will explore the structure, style, and techniques of effective storytelling across a range of formats, including screenplays, stage plays, storyboards, and commercial audio/video scripts.

Emphasis is placed on understanding story structure, character development, dialogue, pacing, and visual storytelling. Students will learn standard industry formatting for various types of scripts, gain insight into the creative process from concept to final draft, and develop their own short scripts and story ideas. The course also introduces the fundamentals of script production, including collaboration with directors and producers, script breakdowns, and preparing scripts for shooting or live performance.

By engaging in peer reviews and practical writing assignments, students will build confidence in their creative voice while learning how to communicate stories effectively for different audiences and media platforms.
 

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the technical and creative aspects of stagecraft and practical effects for film, television, and theatre. Students will explore the behind-the-scenes artistry that brings stories to life, gaining hands-on experience in prop building, set decoration, costume and wardrobe design, special effects makeup, and on-set practical effects.

Emphasizing both creativity and craftsmanship, the course covers techniques ranging from low-budget, recycled-material builds to high-end professional effects. Through lectures, demonstrations, and lab projects, students will learn how to design, fabricate, and execute visual effects safely and effectively within a production environment. Topics include materials and fabrication methods, scenic painting, distressing and aging, blood and wound effects, weather and fire simulations, and mechanical or atmospheric effects.

Students will collaborate in production teams to create original design elements for short scenes or live demonstrations, developing their ability to problem-solve under real-world conditions and to adapt their skills to a variety of aesthetic and budgetary contexts.
 

This advanced, project-based course functions as the capstone experience for students in film studies and production. Building upon foundational coursework in screenwriting, stagecraft, and film production, the course requires students to collaboratively conceive, plan, produce, and complete a feature-length film as a unified creative team. Participants will apply advanced storytelling, technical, and production management skills in an environment designed to replicate professional film-industry workflows.

The course emphasizes creative collaboration, problem-solving, and artistic leadership while upholding the rigor of professional filmmaking standards. By the conclusion of the semester, students will have engaged in the complete lifecycle of a feature film, including story development, pre-production, post-production, and final screening.