One of the courses I’m taking this semester is TCCA 335: Nonverbal Communication with Professor Jackson Miller. Just from the title, you can guess that it’s a “get-up-out-of-your-chair-and-make-hand-gestures” kind of class (it sort of is, but there is more to it then just emblems, AKA gestures that convey a direct meaning).
Over the past 11 weeks, we’ve been learning about the different channels of nonverbal communication, such as the face, the eyes, bodily movements, proxemics (personal space), and voice. Using all the knowledge we’ve accumulated, this week we presented group image management consultations to help a celebrity make a good first impression in a new career. My group was tasked with creating a presentation for Seth MacFarlane, the multi-talented creator of Family Guy, who was preparing to become a kindergarten teacher.
“Kim – you’ve got to start covering your assets if you want to appear credible in court…”
One of the groups made a presentation targeted at Kim Kardashian, who was preparing to become a trial lawyer. “Kim” is pictured here – as a stuffed moose the group brought in and talked to.
Professor Jackson Miller posing as Gaga for one of the presentations.
Professor Miller helped one of the groups out by posing as Lady Gaga. They were trying to recommend some nonverbal behaviors that would help Gaga run for president of the United States.
“Okay Gaga – there’s one thing you need to work on, and that’s eye contact. We need to be able to see your eyes. So don’t wear sunglasses.”
After a glare from one of the presenters, “Gaga” obeyed.
This class never fails to amuse me (One time, Prof. Miller stripped down to a basketball jersey and shorts to illustrate that physical appearance has an effect on our perceptions of credibility). Even though it doesn’t count toward my major, it’s a fun class that can be applied to the real world.
Well, mostly; I love Gaga, but as president? No, thank you..