Syllabus for PSYCO 302 (X01): Nonverbal Communication Spring, 2020
Instructor: Lisa Smithson, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected] (Please put PSYCO 302 in the subject line of your emails) Office hours: By appointment (phone meetings only)
Course website: Go to eClass, accessible on the University main page
Required Text:
No textbook required.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is intended to provide you with foundational knowledge required to gain a better understanding of nonverbal communication including: body language, gesture production, eye gaze, facial expressions, haptics, proxemics, and cultural influences. We will evaluate research methodology practices used in nonverbal communication research and discuss how research in this area can be applied.
Lecture Schedule:
I will introduce examples and concepts that expand on the information that is covered in assigned reading material and I will also introduce information that will supplement the assigned reading material. All of the material discussed in lectures as well as the information contained in the readings, and lecture notes may be covered on the exams.
Below is an outline for the course:
*The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as the course progresses.
Lecture # Date Reading Topics Activities
1 May 5 • Introduction to nonverbal communication
2 May 7 • Nonverbal communication methods
3 May 12 Reading 1 • Gestures and body language
4 May 14 • Gestures and body language Reflection Journal #1:
Topic: Gestures and body language
5 May 19 Reading 2 • Facial expressions
May 21 • Midterm
6 May 26 Reading 3 • Eye contact and gaze Reflection Journal #2:
Topic: Facial expressions
7 May 28 • Voice
8 June 2 • Haptics and proxemics
9 June 4 Reading 4 • Cultural influences on nonverbal behaviour
• Applications in medical practice, psychiatric observation and consumer research
Reflection Journal #3 Topic: Haptics and proxemics
June 9 • Final Exam
June 10 • Video Assignment Due
Reading Reference
1 • de Gelder, B. (2006). Towards the neurobiology of emotional body language. Nature Review Neuroscience, 7 (3), 242-249.
2 • Fernandez-Dols, J.-M. (2013). Advances in the study of facial expression: An introduction to the special section. Emotion Review, 5 (1), 3-7.
3 • Wirth, J.H., Sacco, D.F., Hugenberg, K., & Williams, K.D. (2010). Eye gaze as relational evaluation: Averted eye gaze leads to feelings of ostracism and relational devaluation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36 (7), 869-882.
4 • Kim, J., & Davis, C. (2012). Perceiving emotion from a talker: How face and voice work together.
Visual Cognition, 20 (8), 902-921.
Web Content:
Additional information for the course can be found on eClass at
https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/portal/. Lecture notes will be posted by 11pm the day before the lecture at the latest.
Evaluation:
Midterm Lectures 1-5 and readings 1 and 2 30%
Final exam Lectures 6-9 and readings 3 and 4 30%
Video assignment Due June 10th by 11:55pm 30%
Reflection journals May 14th, May 26th, June 4th 10%
Exams:
Students are responsible for all lecture, reading, and eClass material. Additionally, any content that is covered in class in the form of a demonstration or activity as well as any videos that are played in class, are eligible to be covered on both midterm and final exams. The instructor will not answer any questions regarding what content the students should focus on for the exams.
The midterm will consist of 4 short answer questions (with a maximum word limit of 150 words each). The midterm will be available to complete on eClass for 24 hours but you will only be given 2 hours to complete the exam.
Midterm: available from May 21st at 11am to May 22nd at 11am Final exam: available from June 9th at 11am to June 10th at 11am
The final exam (worth 30% of the final grade) will be available to complete on eClass for 24 hours and will consist of 5 short answer questions (with a maximum word limit of 150 words each). The final exam will cover material from after the midterm. The final exam will be available to complete on eClass for 24 hours but you will only be given 2 hours to complete the exam.
Reflection Journals:
The subject matter of this course – nonverbal communication – is something that all students are intimately involved with on a daily basis, whether they like it or not. This
course should be more meaningful if students can relate what they learn to their own experiences and observations of other people. To help students do this, they will submit journal entries in which they discuss nonverbal communication experiences in their own lives related to the readings and lecture material. These entries will comprise 10% of the final grade.
Students will complete 2 of 3 possible journal entries over the course of the term.
Each entry will be 200 words long or less. The entries should reflect nonverbal communication experiences in the student’s life right now, but it is also fine to write about something that’s happening (or has already happened) to a friend, or to interpret events from the past in light of their newly found knowledge. The entries need to directly tie information from the incident or event to material we have discussed in class for that section of material (e.g., facial expressions).
Students will complete these entries through the appropriate “Assignments” function on e-class. Due dates for these entries can be found on the lecture outline above. The due dates generally coincide with the end of a topic in the course. Entries must be completed and submitted by 11:55 pm on the given due date. Late entries will not be accepted for any reason. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they know how to access and complete these assignments, and that they do so by the due date. Entries will be assessed on an excellent (1), pass (.5), and fail (0) basis. If students have
questions about their performance on these entries, they should contact the instructor.
Because there are 3 entries, but students are only responsible for doing 2, this means that students can miss 1 entry (for whatever reason) without their grades being affected. It also means that if they receive a poor score on one entry, they will have the opportunity to make it up by completing one of the additional entries, and therefore not have the poor score count. The best 2 entries for each student will be counted towards this 5% of the grade.
Policy on late work:
I will not accept late journal entries for any reason.
Video Assignment:
For this video assignment you are expected to videotape yourself (ensure that you include your entire face and full coverage of your hands and arms) discussing how you think nonverbal communication influences individuals on first dates. This video should be 2 minutes in length, after that 2 minutes, you should sit on your hands and continue discussing how you think nonverbal communication influences individuals on first dates (this continuation should be 2 minutes in length). You will be asked to submit this video using the proper eClass function. Please see instructions in eClass for how to upload videos.
You will then be asked to write a 500-600 word description of how you think the
manipulation of sitting on your hands impacted your nonverbal communication. You are expected to provide 5 specific examples of the impact of sitting on your hands on nonverbal communication and describe these using information that you learned throughout the course. I should be able to look at your video and see these examples displayed.
A few important notes about this assignment:
1) Due to privacy concerns, students must ONLY capture themselves on the video. If another person is captured on the video, the assignment will not be graded and students will receive a score of 0.
2) Students who are uncomfortable with this assignment can alternatively write a 1500-2000-word paper on how they think the manipulation might affect
communication. Be sure to cite at least 5 academic peer reviewed journal sources in your paper.
3) All videos will be deleted by June 29th. They will ONLY be viewed by Dr.
Smithson.
Grades:
Final grades will be reported using letter grades. Final grades will be determined after combining scores for all components of the course into a percentage total for each student. This is not a curved course. These percentages will then be converted into letter grades based on the following conversion system:
Distribution of Grades in Undergraduate Courses Letter
grade
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
% grade range
≥95 90- 94.9
85- 89.9
80- 84.9
75- 79.9
71- 74.9
67- 70.9
63- 66.9
60- 62.9
55- 59.9
50-54.9 <50 Grade
points
4.0 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0
Descriptor Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Minimal
Pass
Fail
*Note: This is not a curved course and this is a guideline (i.e., the instructor reserves the right to revise grade cutoffs) for the conversion of percentage grades to the equivalent letter grade. Cutoffs may be adjusted so that the proportion of students receiving each letter grade corresponds to the University-suggested ranges, depending on class
performance and clustering of scores, and will reflect your performance in relation to the rest of the class. Midterm exams, assignments, and final exam grades will be posted under “My Grades” on e-class. Neither the midterms nor final exams will be passed back to the students. Should students wish to review their exam, they can contact their TA and schedule a meeting over the phone. Grades are unofficial until approved by the
Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Missing a significant portion of the course work will result in a “1” being applied to your final letter grade on your transcript (e.g., a student may receive a C1, indicating that they received a C and missed significant course work). This notation will be applied to the grades of any students who meet any of the following criteria:
1. Have an unexcused absence from any of the exams, and/or
2. Fails to complete at least 1 credit of the Research Participation component and/or 3. Fails to complete at least half of the journal entries
4. Fails to complete the class presentation
Re-Grading: If you believe that there is a grading error for one of your tests, or
assignment questions, you must complete a Re-grading Request Form (available on the course website) where you will have an opportunity to outline the perceived error and refer to any evidence (e.g., reference to a statement from the readings, or a particular lecture slide). Students will submit completed forms via email to the instructor (NOT the TA) whose decision will be final (e.g., there is no guarantee that submitting a form will result in an increase in score, and may actually result in a decrease if an error is found). Any requests for reviewing or re-grading any questions on assignments or tests must be received before the end of the last day of classes (i.e., by 5 pm on June 10th).
Additional considerations:
Office hours:
Students are welcomed to ask questions via email. Also, a note about emailing questions: Students are encouraged to read through their syllabus and lecture notes before asking their questions to determine whether they can find the answer on their own before emailing the instructor or TA. Questions sent via email should also be as specific as possible, so we can give an appropriate response quickly.
Additionally, it would be useful for students to be clear about what specific aspect of the material they do not understand. So, rather than emailing something vague (e.g., “I don’t understand intelligence”) students should first tell me what you know about the topic and then ask your specific question. This policy will result in the ability of the instructor to respond to all students in a timely manner as well as not waste my time or yours providing information about things you already understand.
Note on email etiquette: In writing any email to the instructor or TA, students will be required to include the following information if they desire a response:
1. The student’s first and last name 2. Their student ID number
3. The course number/name
Failure to include this information may result in the email going unanswered. The instructor teaches more than one course, so not including this information makes it very difficult to get back to students accurately and in a timely fashion (aside from the fact that not including your name – or a greeting – in an email is disrespectful to the recipient).
Furthermore, any emails (anonymous or otherwise) sent to the instructor or TA that are disrespectful, aggressive, hostile, or harassing in nature will be reported to the
Associate Chair of the Undergraduate Program in Psychology, Cor Baerveldt, and will be investigated for violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Any students found to be in violation of the code will be disciplined accordingly. If you have comments or concerns about the class, you are encouraged to see the instructor in person, make such comments on the course evaluations at the end of the term, or to see the Associate Chair.
Disrespectful behavior (including emails) will not be tolerated.
Absence from class or exams, and missed work:
Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course
components missed as a result, consult the sections of the University Calendar regarding Attendance and Examinations.
Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any
assignments that are nothanded-in or completed as a result.
Writing assistance:
Any student experiencing difficulties, or requiring extra assistance for written assignments (in any course) of any kind, is encouraged to make use of the resources available through the University of Alberta’s Centre for Writers in Assiniboia Hall (for a complete list of available services and tutors, please see https://www.ualberta.ca/current- students/centre-for-writers/).
Student Accessibility Services:
Students who require accommodations in this course due to a disability affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning, mental, or physical health are advised to contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS; formerly SSDS) in SUB (1-80 Students’ Union Building; email [email protected]; phone 780-492- 3381) as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Accommodations can be made for both taking notes and taking exams. Students registered with Student Accessibility Services who will be using accommodations in the classroom are required to provide a “Letter of
Introduction” to the instructor as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss any required accommodations. Those students who need accommodated exams must provide the instructor with an “Exam Instructions
& Authorization” form one week prior to each exam.
Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility- related accommodations. Students who take exams with accommodation are responsible for meeting the required SAS deadlines and regulations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Failing to meet SAS regulations will likely result in SAS being unable to provide the necessary services required. Should this happen, students will be invited to take their exams with their peers during the allotted time in the assigned room. Visit SAS for further
information.
Academic integrity:
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding
academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University of Alberta in this respect.
Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behavior and avoid any behavior that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts, and/or participation in an offense.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offense will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science/Arts who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken. Cheating, plagiarism, and misrepresentation of facts are serious offenses.
Anyone who engages in these practices will receive, at minimum, a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or
redistribute the weights. Additionally, in the Faculty of Science/Faculty of Arts, the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta. All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular, and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate
Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor.
Academic honesty:
All students should consult the information provided by the Student Conduct and Accountability Office regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general. If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process. Before unpleasantness occurs, consult the appropriate resources and also discuss this matter with any tutor(s) and with your
instructor.
Learning and working environment:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behavior that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feel that this policy is being violated to:
1. Discuss the matter with the person whose behavior is causing concern; or 2. If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is
inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Psychology Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy, you may contact the Office of the Student Ombuds. Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is described in UAPPOL.
Final note (disclaimer):
Any errors (typographical or otherwise) in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced to the class. The date of the final examination is set by the
Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
COPYRIGHT: © Dr. Lisa Smithson, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, 2020.
