COMM 350A:

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

MWF 10:30- 11:45Prof. Derick Lyngholm            HH208

                                                 Office Hours:Phone Extension:                                                                                                                                   & 12:00-1:00pm

Course Objectives and Description

Nonverbal communication is an integral part of human interaction. The ability to encode and decode noverbal cues is an important aspect of communication competence. A primary goal of this course is to increase your knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the role of nonverbal communication. Prerequisite: COMM212 or consent of instructor.

1. To increase your awareness of others’ nonverbal behavior, including members of other cultures and subcultures.
2. To understand current theories, principles, and research findings examining the role of nonverbal communication in the total communication process.
3. To understand social norms governing nonverbal behavior and the consequences of violating those norms.

 

Methods of Evaluation

 

Six Chapter Quizzes (25 points each)       30%

Group Presentation        20%                      20%

Reflection Paper       20%         10 %

            TOTAL                                              500 points 

Attendance & Electronic Devices Policy

Attendance and participation in class are essential to making this class work. Your consistent and active participation in class are vital to your learning and to the learning of your classmates. Your attendance in class is expected. Absences will negatively affect your grade.  

Electronic Devices in the classroom are there ONLY to enhance your learning in the classroom. Texting, Instagraming, Tweeting, Facebooking, Pintresting, and any other “ings” that I’m missing are strictly prohibited. If your phone should ring during class, you’ll get the privilege of choosing one of three fun “punishments”:

2.     At the end of class treat us to a few bars of3.     For the next class period, bring everyone treats.

Make Up Policy

It is expected that all students will hand in papers, give presentations, and take test on assigned dates. If for any reason a student does not appear for an assignment and has not contacted the instructor prior to the class period, they will not be permitted to make up the assignment. You are responsible for obtaining any materials or assignments made while you were absent from class. The Cinderella Policy will apply to papers only, not tests or presentations.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty and integrity are integral to the academic process. Academic dishonesty includes– cheating, plagiarism, and collusion .It is expected that Bethany students will understand and adhere to the concept of academic integrity and to the standards of conduct prescribed by the college’s Academic Honor Code on pg. 6 of the student guidebook.

 

It is expected that students will assume responsibility for their work and that materials submitted in fulfillment of course, program, and college academic requirements must represent students’ own efforts. Any violations of plagiarism or cheating will result in no points for that given assignment. Subsequent acts of plagiarism may result in failure of the course.

Other Notes

           

This class should be a lot of fun because we’ll do our best to avoid long lectures. But for that to happen you need to be engaged. That means keeping up with readings and contributing to class discussions. If everyone does that, it will keep things interactive and will limit lectures. You may hear viewpoints and opinions that you disagree with. Please treat these opinions and the individuals who hold them with respect. Also, be respectful when voicing your own points of views.

Tentative Course Outline 

                  In-ClassJan. 14Jan. 16                  Read: ch. 1

 

              Physical AppearanceJan. 23                                         Read: ch. 3.  

             Deception CuesJan. 30                                               Read: ch. 4          

               Facial ManagementFeb. 6            Read: ch. 5

 

              Types of Eye BehaviorFeb. 13                                                   Read: ch. 6. Feb. 18                   

              Space and Territoriality                                        Read: ch. 7

 

              Principles of Proxemics                                        Read: ch. 7                                

              TouchQuiz 3 (ch. 6-7)Mar. 4    Mar. 6                                                       Read: ch. 9

 

             No class- Spring Break

             No class- Spring Break

Mar. 18            Read: ch. 9

             Time OrientationsQuiz 4 (ch. 8-9)

 

             Immediacy and Communication                             Read: ch. 11

             Gender and Nonverbal CommunicationApr. 1               Gender Role Stereotyping                         Apr. 3            Workplace SettingQuiz 5 (ch. 10-12)                                               

                           Read: ch. 13

              Educational Setting 

              Legal SettingReflection Papers

  

Apr. 22Apr. 24     

              Quiz 6 (ch. 13, 14, 16) & Group Work Day

                Final Presentations                                              Student Presentations                  

           

                Final PresentationsMay 8                                             Student Presentations

FINAL           3:30-5:30pm