Professor Judith Swift

Office Hours: M 1-3pm; W 10am-12pm and by appointment

Office: 874-4809 E-mail: jswift@uri.edu

Office Location: 308A Independence Hall

Monday, 7-9:45 p.m. Lippitt 202

Course Description: Examines nonverbal communication (NVC) theories and research. Students will explore NV message intentionality and awareness, social functions of NVC, and the relationship of NVC to identity, power, deception, intimacy, and other issues. Students will engage the study of NVC through readings, lecture, discussions, film/interviews, experiential activities, and producing a major research paper.

• To examine nonverbal communication (NVC) theories and research;
• To explore NV message features, social functions, and how NVC relates to identity, power, deception, intimacy, and other issues;
• To explore issues of intended and unintended signals, the effects of gender and personality;
• To develop the ability to distinguish between and among spontaneous and socially recognized nonverbal messages;
• To have an applied experience in the development and delivery of an audio presentation.

Content: This course will combine active exploration of NVC through in-class interactive roleplays and exercises, and external observational activities. We will use film clips, student journal entries, photo images, narrative descriptions and other tools to explore the power, subtlety and significance of NVC in all facets of interpersonal communication. In addition, we will examine research and theories pertaining to NVC

• A substantial paper which is developed through the use of observational material grounded in research;
• A journal of NVC observation activities to be used as the basis for portions of in-class discussion/exercises.

The major paper will, of course, be word-processed with emphasis on excellence in content, style, grammar, syntax, etc., and with references and resources properly credited. The length should be between 15 and 20 pages of text. The paper will be developed over the course of the semester with frequent exchanges of rough drafts for comments and further development. The paper will be addressed in greater detail in a separate handout.

• Ongoing pairs/trios will present oral reports in NVC topic areas of your choosing;
• class participation in the presentation, analysis and criticism of team reports;
• A 20-minute report on the content and research accomplished in the preparation of your paper. It is not intended that your paper will be complete at this point; rather, this is an opportunity to get feedback from the class as you move toward completion.

There are any number of ways one can cluster topics in NVC. There are also numerous ways to approach investigation of NVC. For this class, we will begin with pairs/trios of students selecting a topic area, e.g., NVC of feelings, or deception, or the expression of power. You will examine the texts and readings as well as any research articles you find of particular interest. In addition to reporting on the topic, you are urged to develop an exercise to assist others in the class in observing the theory in action. These could include roleplays, video clips, photographic images or anything your imagination leads you to explore.

General Notes: This syllabus is an outline of proposed events. It is subject to change. I will never change it to make anything due earlier for you. I may change the order of things to allow for a special opportunity or to allow additional exploration on a particular topic. I will supply supplementary readings along the way.

Communication: I expect everyone to use e-mail in order that we can communicate efficiently with each other. We will use this tool to increase class discussion by posting additional ideas, observations, questions and insights. If you need to see me, stop by during office hours, call or e-mail and I’ll get you in as quickly as possible.

Attendance: Attendance is expected. You are graduate students and I know you want the stimulation of class discussion with a professor and your peers. If you will not attend on a given day, please call or e-mail. Class participation is an important aspect of my evaluation of your work.

Other readings as applicable and assigned including excerpts from articles, magazine and newspaper reviews.

• In-class discussion/participation 20%
• Topic reports 30%
• 20-minute report 15%
• Final paper 35%

Honor Code: I expect each of you to contribute his/her own work; however, I also encourage you to work together to solve problems, achieve solid analysis, critique performances, and even to prepare and explore the theses of your final papers. I also expect that you will all be direct about crediting yourself and/or others about completed work. There is nothing wrong with assisting each other. The only caveat is to acknowledge that assistance. With regard to group work, you are responsible for disclosing the amount of your work and to be forthright about how much you did or did not contribute. This saves each of you from ever having to be in the awkward position of reporting or covering for another student. Fairness is the watchword. I also know each of you want to be honorable in your individual or group projects. Faculty are asked to inform all students that the University of Rhode Island has very clear rules pertaining to plagiarism.

Philosophy of Teaching: I enjoy an engaging, active partnership of learning in which I rediscover and discover aspects of nonverbal communication along with you. I am interested in using your choice of topics as a springboard for the exploration of NVC. Despite the plethora of research, the subject of NVC is rich with subjective and subtle areas to explore. The potential for discovering new paths into human behavior is exciting, however, just as no one is responsible for our individual happiness but us, no one is responsible for our intellectual excitement. I will bring mine to the classroom but you also need to be prepared to risk exposing and exploring yours. Learning should be fun and painful—thinking ‘til it hurts—and addictive. I look forward to the time we will have together examining and creating nonverbal communication.