Nonverbal Communication

The course investigates the impact of nonverbal behavior on the communication process. It explores how the environment, space, dress, appearance, movement, facial expressions, eye behavior, and chronemics affect communication.  The cultural context of nonverbal communication is considered. Special attention is given to nonverbal research and analysis.

CAVEAT: No graduate credit will be awarded if COM4407 has been successfully completed.

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:

• Discussing the different types of nonverbal behaviors: oculesics, facial kinesics, kinesics, environment, haptics, chronemics, smell, dress, and appearance.
• Describing how to locate scholarly nonverbal behavior using appropriate indexes in EBSCO and other appropriate online sources.
• Design a methodology and tabulate results of a nonverbal study.
• Developing a paper which presents an introduction, a literature review, designing a methodology, and tabulating results and findings of a nonverbal study.
• Using analytical skills to evaluate an environment by applying the research on nonverbal environments.
• Describing the four different types of proxemic spaces: intimate, interpersonal, social, and public.
• Applying concepts of dress, appearance, eye, facial kinesics, and environment in a self-analysis paper.
• Discussing how personal appearance can be manipulated so the person looks credible, knowledgeable, and approachable.
• Evaluating the messages being sent by others nonverbal appearance.
• Describing how personality can be communicated through facial expressions.
• Discussing how pupilmetrics can help identify who is attracted to whom, what products are desirable, and which political candidates are preferred.
• Examining and explaining the role of haptics in human development from birth to death.
• Describing the role of vocalics in affecting the image of an individual.
• Studying how postural and gestural kinesics affect human interaction.
• Discussing how persuasion can be affected by kinesics.
• Applying the theories and research of nonverbal communication to analyze interactions.
• Analyzing the cultural effect on nonverbal communication.
• Comparing how different cultures communicate nonverbally and how the similarities or differences affect communication in the home, workplace or Church.
• Analyzing digital body language and the application of technology-mediated forms of nonverbal communication in the workplace, home, or Church.