Spring 2015
SPCM 361-001: Nonverbal Communication
3:00-4:15 pm Monday/Wednesday, Faner 2206
Instructor
Email & Phone
Office
Dr. Diana Tigerlily
[email protected], 618-453-5110
FANER 3338, Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 – 4:00
Required Text
Ivy, Diana & Shawn Wahl. The Nonverbal Self: Communication for a Lifetime.
Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2009.
Course Description: This course incorporates research, theory, and everyday
practices as we examine nonverbal communication across contexts and its
influence on our communicative interactions. We will examine nonverbal codes of
communication such as environment, time and space, physical appearance,
body movement, facial expression, eye behavior, voice, and touch, and we will apply
these codes to such settings as daily life, relationships, professional and
educational contexts, and the internet. A major goal of this course is to
enhance our skills at both performing and interpreting nonverbal communication.
Course Goals:




To create a safe learning environment emphasizing ethical
communication, open dialogue, participation, and respect
To increase self-reflexivity of nonverbal communicative styles to
enhance personal growth and awareness of the messages we are
sending and receiving
To enhance knowledge of research, theories, and practices informing
contemporary understandings of nonverbal communication
To develop knowledge and skills for appropriate, effective, and ethical
nonverbal communication
Course Requirements
4 Response Papers
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Participation
%
40
20
20
20
Points
200 (50 points each)
100
100
100
Total
100% 500 possible points
Grading Scale: 90%=A, 80% = B, 70%= C, 60%=D, below 60%=F
Assignments
Response Papers These papers will include critical self-reflections on a specific aspect
of nonverbal communication and/or responses to scholarly writings, films, videos, and
other popular culture artifacts. Papers are 4-5 typed pages, double-spaced, standard
margins, 12 point font. University level writing expected. As time permits, students may
share ideas from their papers with the class. It is each student’s responsibility to get
copies of assignments and complete the assignments by the due dates. Late penalties
will be applied. No papers accepted via email.
Midterm Exam You will be tested on all chapters covered, lectures, discussions, video
clips shown, etc., and classroom activities.
Final Exam You will be tested on all material covered since midterm, with some
carryover, including chapters, lectures, discussions, video clips shown, etc., and
classroom activities.
Participation
This course depends on the exchange of ideas and experiences, the commitment and
presence of each one of us. Your participation grade will reflect your contribution to
fostering a positive learning environment. A good faith effort towards this fostering
includes preparing for class by completing the readings and making notes of items for
discussion; respectful verbal and nonverbal participation in the discussions, and
respectful listening to your classmates’ ideas and opinions. Most likely, differences in
opinions will exist, which is expected. No one perspective has to be “right” nor “wrong,”
and what may seem “obvious” to one person may be new information to somebody
else. It is okay to agree to disagree. Respectful exchanges include maintaining an open
mind in trying to understand opinions or positions that differ from our own. No
interrupting or hateful language.
Attendance
Since much of the work in this course happens in class through discussion, class
attendance is essential. Each student may miss up to three classes without penalty.
After that, five points per absence will be deducted from your final course point total.
Three tardies equals one absence. I will take attendance every class period.
Basic classroom courtesies. Please arrive on time. Please be sure your cell phones are
silenced and put away when you enter the classroom. You may not use your cell
phones during class. Cell phone use during class will result in a deduction in your
participation grade.
Academic Dishonesty:
Students are expected to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. You should know
that presenting another’s work as your own, even if by accident, is a serious violation of
the Student Conduct Code. The Student Conduct Code identifies the following as acts
of academic dishonesty: “Plagiarism, representing the work of another as one’s own
work; preparing work for another that is to be used as that person’s own work; cheating
by any method or means; …soliciting, aiding, abetting, concealing, or attempting
conduct in violation of this code” (p. 18). Whether quoting or paraphrasing (or even
summarizing) someone else’s work, you should cite your sources; failure to do so
constitutes an act of plagiarism. Suspected cases of plagiarism will be investigated
following Article V of the Student Conduct Code; if plagiarism is substantiated, the
perpetrator may face failing the assignment, failing the course, disciplinary censure,
and/or suspension from the university, depending on the details of the case (see Article
III of the Student Conduct Code). As a rule of thumb: when in doubt, cite where the
information is coming from. If you are uncertain whether you are citing sources
sufficiently and appropriately enough to avoid plagiarism, please consult with me or a
tutor at the Writing Center. Academic dishonesty is very serious and will result in a
penalty.
Accessibility:
The Department of Communication Studies strives to be conscious of and
sensitive to disability issues. In the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), I wish to make this course as accessible as possible to students with
disabilities, temporary medical conditions, or mental health issues that may affect
any aspect of course assignments or participation. I invite you to communicate
with me at the beginning of the semester or at your discretion about any
accommodations that will improve your experience of or access to the course.
We can create an agreement to document accommodations. The Disability
Support Services (DSS) office provides support and various services for students
with disabilities and can be reached at(618) 453-5738 or [email protected]. To
best serve the student population, DSS requests that students contact the office
at the beginning of the semester or at their earliest convenience. The Achieve
Program also offers support (for a fee) to students with learning disabilities and
can be reached at (618) 453-2369 or [email protected].
University’s Emergency Procedure Clause: Southern Illinois University
Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study
and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our
control, we ask that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response
Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency
response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, available on
BERT’s website at www.bert.siu.edu, Department of Public Safety’s website
www.dps.siu.edu (disaster drop down) and in the Emergency Response
Guideline pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency.
Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the
event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow
these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or
sheltering emergency. The Building Emergency Response Team will provide
assistance to your instructor in evacuating the building or sheltering within the
facility.
SPCM 361 Course Calendar
Week 1:
MLK Day
M 1/19
Introductions W 1/21
Week 2:
Chapter 1
M 1/26
No class
Chapter 1
W 1/28
Week 3:
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
M 2/2
W 2/4
Week 4:
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
M 2/9
W 2/11
Response Paper # 1 Due
Week 5:
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
M 2/16
W 2/18
Response Paper # 2 Assigned
Week 6:
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
M 2/23
W 2/25
Response Paper # 2 Due
Chapter 5
M 3/2
W 3/4
Midterm Exam
Week 7:
Response Paper # 1 Assigned
SPRING BREAK No Classes
Week 8:
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
M 3/16
W 3/18
Week 9:
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
M 3/23
W 3/25
Week 10:
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
M 3/30
W 4/1
Week 11:
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
M 4/6
W 4/8
Week 12:
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
M 4/13
W 4/15
Week 13:
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
M 4/20
W 4/22
Week 14
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
M 4/27
W 4/29
Response Paper #4 Due
Week 15
synthesis
synthesis
M 4/4
W 5/6
Nonverbal Engagement
Week 16
Final Exam Period Friday, May 15, 2:45 – 4:45
Response Paper #3 Assigned
Response Paper #3 Due
Response Paper #4 Assigned