NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

Fall 2009

INSTRUCTOR:               Dr. Barbara J. Tarter (tarterb@marshall.edu)

Main Office:                               Smith Hall 257           Main Office #: (304) 696-6786       

Personal Office:                         Smith Hall 271        Office Phone:  (304) 696-2700

Office Hours:                           TTH – 10:00–11:00                    Classes:           TTH 11:00-12:15

M W – 1:00-2:00                                                TTH 12:30-1:45

M  --3:15-4:00                                                   M W 2:00-3:15

W  -- 3:15-4:15                                                 M 4:00-6:20

M – 6:20-7:00   

Class Section:                CMM 481 Section 101 M (4:00-6:20) (CRN = 1891)

Classroom:                    Smith Hall 261

TEXTBOOK:                   Leathers, D. & Eaves, M.H. (2008) Successful nonverbal communication, 4^th Edition.  Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Improve your knowledge and understanding of nonverbal communication
2. Become more aware of the role of nonverbal communication in all facets of life
3. Analyze the relationship between nonverbal communication and verbal communication
4. Apply nonverbal theory and research to “real life situations”
5. Increase your sensitivity to nonverbal communication cues
6. Enhance your encoding and decoding nonverbal abilities
7. Identify those nonverbal cues that may signify deception, power, intimacy, and other relationship variables
8. Improve your written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
9. Develop a twenty minute workshop using the theories of nonverbal communication as they relate to one of the following or a topic approved by the instructor:

Nonverbal Communication in Education

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace

Nonverbal Communication in Courtship Relationships

Nonverbal Communication in Families

Nonverbal Communication across Cultures

Nonverbal Communication in the Courtroom

Nonverbal Communication in the Pulpit

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

DUE DATES:  Assignments are due by midnight of the due date.  If you choose to e-mail the assignment, please make sure that you receive a response indicating that the assignment has been received.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS:  The semester will move very fast and it is difficult to stay on track unless you follow the syllabus closely.  Assignments not received by the due date may be subject to a reduced grading scale.  Assignments will not be accepted more than one class period late, without special permission from the instructor.

COPIES OF ASSIGNMENTS:  It is a good college practice to always keep copies of your work, both before and after grading, in case the assignment is accidentally misplaced by the instructor.  Sorry, we make mistakes too!L

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is required for the course.  A student that misses more than one unexcused absence* may start to lose a percentage of their final grade according to the following scale:

2 Unexcused Absences may result in one entire final grade reduction

3 Unexcused Absences may result in two entire final grade reductions

A student that acquires 4 unexcused absences or that misses the equivalent of four weeks (25%) of the class will receive a failing grade for the class.

*Please see the university catalog for the definition of excused and unexcused absences.

STUDENTS with DISABILITIES:   Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities.  University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability.  For more information, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/disabled or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.

CLASSROOM RESPECT

Late Arrivals:  Given the nature of the class, it is important that you arrive to class on time.  Class exercises and material are often dependent on total student participation; particularly given the small class size.

Cell Phones:  Please make sure that all cell phones are turned off before class starts.  If you have an emergency call that you are expecting, please let the instructor know prior to the start of class.

Text Messaging:  Please refrain from texting others during class time.  This is extremely distracting and disrespectful to the instructor and to other students in the class.

Laptops:  Feel free to bring a laptop to take notes during class BUT other uses of the computer such as e-mailing friends, gaming, or surfing the WEB for unrelated class material, may result in class dismissal.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Plagiarism:  Copying another’s work without proper citation of the source constitutes plagiarism.  Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated.  A student that is found plagiarizing another’s work will automatically receive an “F” in the course and may be subject to further university discipline.

Cheating:  According to university policy, cheating is defined as the use of any unauthorized materials during an academic exercise to include notes, study aids etc.  Cheating also includes the viewing of another person’s work or securing any part of an assignment or examination in advance of distribution by the instructor.  Cheating will not be tolerated in this class and will result in an automatic “F” for the class and the possible recommendation of suspension or expulsion from the university.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Journal Photos & Description (2):  Students will submit five photos for each of the two required photo submissions.  Students should fill out the attached evaluation form for each photo and obtain written permission from each of the individuals shown in EACH photo.     

The photos should include two to four persons and should aim for the following situations:  1) a variety of emotional settings to include anger, deception, disgust, fear, happiness, etc. 2) a variety of demographic characteristics of the participants to include gender, ethnicity, age, culture, and socio-economic differences. 3) a variety of relationships including differential power, status, intimacy, and impression management 4) a variety of environmental settings such as a workplace, home, airport, grocery store, classroom, club, church setting, etc. and 5) should avoid clearly posed shots.  Permission must be granted from ALL participants shown in the photos and students should fill out the attached description form for each photo.  Students must include five questions that they believe could be determined from the photo.  Photos and description forms should be submitted electronically so that students can pull from a complete photo gallery.  Points will be given based on the 1) completeness of the analysis, 2) the variety of photos, 3) the thought that goes into the five questions, and 4) the quality of the photo for nonverbal observation.    See Pages 9-10 for additional information.                                                                                                                                        (2 @ 50 points = 100 points)

Nonverbal Photo Journals (2):  Students will choose five of the pictures from the picture gallery per journal and analyze each according to the attached analysis.  Students will determine the relationship of the parties, the power structure, the purpose of the interaction, the emotions involved in the interaction, and other variables based on the nonverbal communication codes.  Students should focus on a particular question or hypothesis for each journal to make the analyses more succinct.    See Pages 9-11 for additional information about this assignment.

The grades for the journal analyses will be based on the following:

1.       Breadth and thoroughness of observations

2.       Completeness of answers

3.       Clear understanding of the application of theory

4.       Absence of grammatical and spelling errors (Please proofread and/or have someone else review your entries before turning them in)

5.       Quality of critical thinking as related to the observations and the analyses

6.       Accuracy of evaluations

7.       Synthesis of the analyses as they relate to a common theme.

                                                                                                (2 @ 100 points = 200 points)

Midterm & Final Exams:  Twenty essay questions for each of the examinations will be given in advance.  From these twenty, twelve questions will be pulled on the day of the exam and ten will be answered. 

Exam grades will be based on 1) the level of comprehension of the applicable theory, 2) the completeness of the answers, 3) the thoughtfulness of the answers, 4) the insight into the question, and 5) the accuracy of theory as it relates to the question.                                        (2 @ 100 points)

Nonverbal Communication Workshop:  Students will develop a twenty minute workshop.  The workshop might focus on high school teachers, employees and supervisors, pastors and their congregation, attorneys and their clients, dating or married couples, parents and children, or travelers to another country.  The purpose of the workshop is to accomplish the following:  1) To develop your application of nonverbal communication as it relates to a specific context, 2) To demonstrate your understanding of the principles of nonverbal communication, 3) To provide you with a set of workshops which you can use in the future, 4) To develop your oral and written communication skills, and 5) To enhance your research skills. See pages 6-8 for further information about this assignment.

Students will be asked to provide a final manual for each of the students in the class.  This manual can be either in hard copy or CD form.                                                          

Draft Workshop Manual =      30 points

                                                                                    Final Workshop Manual =        70 points

                                                                                    Workshop Presentation =      100 points

GRADE DETERMINATION

Journal Photos & Descriptions      2 @ 50 = 100

Nonverbal Journals           2 @ 100 each = 200

Midterm Exam                               100

Nonverbal Workshop

Draft Workshop Manual                                30

Final Workshop Manual                                70

Workshop Presentation                              100

Final Examination                                      100

Total:                                                   700 points

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE*

Week 1                        August 24, 2009

                                                Class Overview

The Nature of Nonverbal Communication              Chapter One

                                                Nonverbal - Innate or Learned                             (Non-text Material)

Week 2                        August 31, 2009                                                                                    

                                                Facial Expressions         

Universal Facial Expressions                                            Chapter Two

                                                Eye Behaviors                                                                Chapter Three

                                                Eye Contact and Pupil Dilation

September 7, 2009 – Labor Day Holiday

Week 3                        September 14, 2009

Territory and Personal Space                                          Chapter Five

Communication in the Environment                      (Non-text Material)

Shaping Communication –the Nature of the Environment                                                                                       

Assignment:  Journal #1 Photos

Week 4                        September 21, 2009

Bodily Communication                                                     Chapter Four

                                                The Use of Gestures                  

The Value of Human Touch                                             Chapter Six

Week 5                        September 28, 2009

Personal Appearance -                                                  Chapter Seven

Why Are We So Obsessed?        

It’s Not Who You Are..It is What You Wear           

The Use of Artifacts                                            (Non-text Material)                                                                 Assignment:    Journal #1 Due

Week 6                        October 5, 2009                                                

What Was He Really Saying?                                           Chapter Eight

“That May Be What You Meant,

but That is Not What You Said”

Paralanguage    

            Chronemics – Use of Time

Time Management                                             (Non-text Material)

Week 7                        October 12, 2009                                                                    Midterm Exam

Week 8                        October 19, 2009

                                                Impression Management                                     Chapter Nine

                                                Selling Yourself Nonverbally                                             Chapter Ten

Assignment:  Journal #2 Photos

Week 9                        October 26, 2009

                                                Gender Differences                                                 Chapter Thirteen

                                                The Significance of Culture                                      Chapter Fourteen

Week 10                      November 2, 2009

                                                NO FORMAL CLASS – FINISH Draft Manual

                                                                                                Assignment:    Workshop Manual

 Draft Due

Week 11                      November 9, 2009

                                                Detecting Deception                                            Chapter Eleven

Catch Up Day                             Assignment:  Journal # 2 Due

Week 12                      November 16, 2009

                                                                                    Nonverbal Communication Workshops

                                                                                    Assignment:    ALLWorkshop Manuals Due

Week 13                      November 23, 2009 – November 28, 2009

                                    (Thanksgiving Holiday—University Closed)

Week 14                      November 30, 2009

                                                                                    Nonverbal Communication Workshops

Week 15                      December 7, 2009                                 

Nonverbal Communication Workshops

Final Exam:               December 9, 2009 (Wednesday 4:00-6:20)

*Syllabus subject to change based on the needs of the class and the instructor.

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP

Requirements:

You are to provide a twenty minute workshop that addresses one of the general topics below.  You should determine the specific context and audience for the topic and then present your workshop as if the rest of the class is that audience.  In addition to presenting the workshop, you will turn in a workshop manual for completing the workshop.  This should include an outline, a bibliography of sources, and any handouts that will be distributed.  The manual should be comprehensive enough that another person could present the workshop based on your manual.

This workshop manual can be provided on a CD or as a hardcopy handout.  Manuals should be provided to all class members.

Potential Workshop Topics

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace:  Prepare a workshop that helps either employees or supervisors interpret and use nonverbal communication more effectively.

Nonverbal Communication in Families:  Prepare a workshop that helps either children or parents understand how to use and interpret the nonverbal communication within their families better.

Nonverbal Communication in the Courtroom:  Prepare a workshop to help attorneys more effectively deal with either their clients or the jurors within a courtroom.

Nonverbal Communication in the Pulpit:  Prepare a workshop to help pastors more effectively deal with their parishioners.  This might include a focus on the nonverbal communication that occurs from the pulpit or during a counseling situation.

Nonverbal Communication in Courtship Relationships:  Prepare a workshop to help couples who are dating or who are married to use and interpret nonverbal communication more effectively in their relationships.

Nonverbal Communication Across Cultures:  Prepare a workshop to help travelers to a foreign country (of your choice) understand how to interpret the nonverbal communication of the country they are visiting better and how to use their own nonverbal communication in that country more effectively.

Nonverbal Communication in Education:  Prepare a workshop for high school teachers that will help them understand the nonverbal communication of their students and the effect of their own nonverbal communication on these students.

Other:  Since this assignment is to build your own portfolio then feel free to discuss other workshop ideas with the professor.  Other areas might include such topics as the use of deception by criminals, nonverbal communication in a counseling situation, hospital situations, etc.

EVALUATION OF THE WORKSHOP

The Workshop will serve as the final project for the class and will be the culmination of knowledge gained throughout the course.  The workshop will include three grades:  1^st draft of Workshop Manual = 30 points, Workshop Manual = 70 points, Workshop Presentation = 100 points.  Each of these grades will be shared by the two workshop presenters.

Requirements of the Workshop:

1. One or more handouts

2. One or more exercises

3. Background research in Nonverbal Communication, as well as, research in the subject itself.  Look for ways to apply nonverbal principles to these content areas.

4. Organized to include an introduction, body, conclusion and transitions

5. Visual Aids which may include a Power Point Presentation, handouts, video, etc.

6. Complete Manual including a workshop outline that would allow someone to complete your workshop without your assistance

7. Copies of the workshop plan for each of the audience members

8. Complete Bibliography of all sources used.

1^st Draft of Workshop Manual– Due on November 2, 2009.  This draft should include a complete outline of what is planned for the presentation, any research that will be used, potential exercises to be used, and any handouts that are completed at this time.               

A workshop is focused on helping the audience learn how to do something better.  Your purpose should not be to teach vocabulary and concepts as you would in an academic setting, although you should use nonverbal vocabulary and theory from this course, but teaching these nonverbal concepts is not your primary purpose.

You are expected to include a statement of the nature of the audience and the purpose of the workshop at the beginning of your outline.  It would be advantageous to determine this audience early in the process so that you can better apply theory to your workshop.  You may also want to conduct a survey to better determine the characteristics of this audience.  The sooner that you determine your audience and your purpose, the sooner that you can began pulling theory from the class to apply to the development of your workshop.

WORKSHOP GRADING RUBRICS

*The basic concept for a nonverbal workshop was taken from Professor Jay G. VerLinden from Humboldt State University.  Permission granted July 17, 2007.

Context of the Interaction:   Completing a contract on a new business (rental property)

Relationship of the Individuals:  Husband and Wife

Environment:  Home at about 9:00 p.m.  June 29, 2009.

Emotional & Psychological Background:  Frustration on the part of person #2 because the contract was not what was expected.  Person #1 is allowing Person #2 to make the decision so she has less stress.  Person # 2 is more aware that her picture is being taken. Both individuals seem tired as indicated by the drooping shoulders, and lines on the forehead.  Person #1 seems to be more relaxed as she is not involved in the actual reading of the contract.

QUESTIONS:

1.         What time of day and month is the interaction occurring?  How can you determine this?

The interaction is occurring in the evening which is evident from the attire and the fatigue in the faces.  The interaction is also occurring during the summer as is evident from person #1 bangs.  Person #1 is also pregnant which can add to the perception of heat.  Shadow on Person #2s face would indicate that his beard is already coming in.  The clothing would also indicate a casual summer look.

2.         What does the environment indicate?  The main housekeeper is very organized.  She is also probably a stay-at-home Mom given the cleanness of the environment.  The home is probably dated in the 60-70s as it does not have some of the more modern fixtures found in today’s homes such as silver appliances.

3.         What do you think the document is that is being read?  The document is a contract which is evidenced from the small print and the level of concentration of the man in the picture.  He seems very intent on reading all of the words carefully.

4.         Is there anyone else involved in the interaction besides the person taking the picture?  Yes, the realtor that is handling the agreement was also present.  She is not in the picture but the choice of seating between the husband and wife and the way that the contract is placed in the center of the table would indicate that there is a third person present.

5.         What is the power arrangement between the two individuals?  The lack of interest in the contract would indicate that Person #2 holds the power.  Person #1 does not seem to be interested in reading the document as none of the forms are in front of her and she is able to recognize that her photo is being taken which would indicate that she is more cognizant of what is happening around her.

Marshall University has my permission to use my photo and/or voice for educational purposes.  I understand that the photo may be published either electronically or in print.  I agree to this voluntarily and understand that I will not be paid for my participation.

Name:  __________________________________________________________________

                                                Please Print

Signature: _________________________________________          Date:  _______________

As the parent or guardian of the above minor, I agree to the conditions above.

Name:  __________________________________________________________________

                                                Please Print

Signature: _________________________________________          Date:  _______________