How has the current pandemic changed nonverbal communication? (Nonverbal communication includes all of the things we do with our bodies, including body movements, facial expressions, eye gaze, clothing, touch, tone, voice, etc. – anything except for words themselves. What do you see people doing with their bodies during the pandemic that they didn’t do before the pandemic, or that they did differently, before the pandemic? (If at all possible, your observations should be about in-person nonverbal communication).

Your assignment should have the following structure:

1. Introduction: Summarize and preview the differences you have noticed in how people are using nonverbal communication differently during the Covid-19 pandemic than they were before. (3 points)
2. Examples: Give 3 separate examples that illustrate the claims you have made in the Introduction (part 1). Be sure to include lots of detail in your description, and explain clearly how it illustrates how some aspects of nonverbal communication are different during the pandemic (4 points for each example – 12 points total)
3. What conclusions can you draw about nonverbal communication more generally from the examples that you have provided? (Make sure that your conclusions are directly connected to your examples – avoid generalizations that are not specific to your examples). (5 points)

Important: Please number the sections of your paper 1., 2., and 3., and closely follow the guidelines

Your assignment should be between 1 and 2 pages, single spaced, 1” margins, 12-point font. (A little less or a little more is fine). You do no need to use citations for this assignment – it should be based as much as possible on your observations – but if you do refer to class materials or the textbook, please refer to Assignment 1 regarding how to use citations).

The assignment should be uploaded to Assignments on Canvas by 11:59 pm on Monday, 10/26. Please paste your assignment into the box, or upload a .doc, .docx, or .pdf file. (Please don’t use a Google docs link. Thanks.).

Grading

Your assignment will be graded according to the points system outlined above (20 points total; your total will then be multiplied by 5 to constitute a grade out of 100 points) as follows:

Important: Please number the sections of your paper 1., 2., and 3., and closely follow the guidelines

1. Introduction: You will need to write this AFTER you have completed parts 2. And 3., so that it clearly previews the points you will make in parts 2 and 3. Your introduction should clearly preview what is coming up, and should be brief but substantive. (3 points)
2. Examples: From your description, it should be obvious to the grader that these are real examples you have observed. (That is, don’t simply re-use examples given during our class Zoom). Each example should be substantive. Provide a brief description of the behavior, and then explain clearly how what you are describing is nonverbal behavior that is different during Covid-19 than it was before Covid-19. Since each example is worth 4 points, each example should probably be at least 4 substantive sentences long, and should contain both details of the behavior, AND explanation of how it constitutes a change in nonverbal communication since before the pandemic. (4 points for each example – 12 points total)
3. Conclusions: Take a step back from your specific descriptions, and think about what you have learned about different aspects of nonverbal communication from each of your examples. Make sure your conclusions are directly connected to your examples – avoid engaging in vague speculation! This section is worth 5 points, so should probably consist of a minimum of 5 substantive sentences. (5 points)