Dec 17, 2024  
2023 - 2024 Catalog 
    
2023 - 2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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COM 224W - Nonverbal Communication

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Focuses on nonverbal communication as it relates to interpersonal and professional behavior. Analyzes kinesics, facial expressions, eye contact, body movement and posture, physical characteristics, haptics, chronemics, proxemics, artifacts, paralanguage and environment. Discusses prevalent theories and current research underlying nonverbal behavior. Applies effective nonverbal communication in various contexts, including small groups.

Prerequisite(s): High School GPA of 2.5  or higher OR completion of any ENG course with grade of “C” or higher
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: Humanities
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives
  1. Define nonverbal communication and its characteristics and functions.
    1. Explain the history of nonverbal communication as a field of study.
    2. Describe the major functions of nonverbal communication.
    3. Identify the components of nonverbal communication.
  2. Describe the communicative value of physical appearance.
    1. Explain how clothing affects perceptions.
    2. Explain how artifacts affect perceptions.
    3. Explain how body type affects perceptions.
  3. Explain perspectives in kinesics research.
    1. Contrast major perspectives in kinesics research.
    2. Identify types of kinesics.
  4. Explain how facial expressions and eye movement communicate important messages to others.
    1. Describe the universality of facial expressions.
    2. Identify basic emotional facial expressions.
    3. Identify basic types of eye movement.
  5. Explain the communicative aspects of environment, proxemics, and territoriality.
    1. Define proxemics.
    2. Identify how the environment shapes perceptions.
    3. Identify the factors that influence territoriality.
  6. Explain the communicative value of haptics.
    1. Identify the categories of touch.
    2. Identify the messages that touch communicates.
  7. Describe how paralanguage influences meaning.
    1. Define paralinguistics.
    2. Explain the types of paralinguistics.
  8. Explain nonverbal cultural differences.
    1. Identify cultural differences in physical appearance.
    2. Identify cultural differences in kinesics.
    3. Identify cultural differences in eye movement.
    4. Identify cultural differences in the environment.
    5. Identify cultural differences in proxemics.
    6. Identify cultural differences in territoriality.
    7. Identify cultural differences in haptics.
    8. Identify cultural differences in paralanguage.
    9. Describe examples of nonverbal behaviors that contribute to stereotyping.
  9. Demonstrate knowledge of nonverbal research through writing a research paper.
    1. Identify an area of nonverbal research.
    2. Conduct research in a variety of sources.
    3. Synthesize research.
    4. Write research paper.
    5. Include appropriate documentation of sources.
  10. Demonstrate ability to work effectively in small groups, with emphasis on effective nonverbal communication.
    1. Practice working in small groups, online and in face-to-face interactions.
    2. Apply theories of effective nonverbal communication in small groups.
    3. Demonstrate effective use of nonverbal communication in small group interactions, online and/or face-to-face interactions.
  11. Use writing to promote learning of all of the above Outcomes and Objectives.



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