HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CMST 230 – Nonverbal Communication
Course Information
EFFECTIVE DATE
Fall 2013
DATE SUBMITTED
May 2013
COURSE NUMBER
CMST 230
COURSE TITLE
Nonverbal Communication
PREREQUISITE(S)/CO-REQUISITES
ENG 101 and CMST 101, 105, or 106
DIVISION
Humanities
BUDGET ORG
NUMBER
1184
SUBJECT
Communication Studies
INITIATOR
Linda Heil
DIVISION LEADER
Karry Hathaway
NUMBER OF CREDITS
3
TOTAL INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS
45
RECOMMENDED CLASS SIZE
20
START-UP COST
$2,418.90
COURSE FEE
0
Course Description
CMST 230 - Nonverbal Communication (3 credits)
Students will examine the theory and research in nonverbal communication to help develop nonverbal
skills. Areas of study include body, facial and eye messages, artifactual and space messages, touch
communication, paralanguage and silence, and time messages. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and CMST 101,
105, or 106.
Student Learning Objectives Linked to Relevant Academic Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Explain the channels of nonverbal communication and how one sends and receives nonverbal
messages.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Interpersonal
Skills, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Personal and Self –Management Skills)

Explain the importance of the role of culture in sending and receiving nonverbal messages.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Interpersonal
Skills, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy, Personal and Self –Management Skills)

Detect and interpret nonverbal behavior accurately.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Interpersonal
Skills, Critical Thinking, Personal and Self –Management Skills)

Use nonverbal cues effectively.
(Academic outcomes supported by this learning objective: Communication, Interpersonal
Skills, Critical Thinking, Personal and Self –Management Skills)
Course Outline
I. PART I - Foundations of Nonverbal Communication
A. Foundations of Nonverbal Communication
II. PART II - The Codes of Nonverbal Communication
A. The Codes of Nonverbal Communication
B. Body Messages
C. Facial Messages
D. Eye Messages
E. Artifactual Messages
F. Space Messages
G. Touch Communication
H. Paralanguage and Silence
I. Time Messages
III. PART III - Putting It All Together
A. Attraction, Deception, Immediacy, and Power
Instructional Method(s)
To achieve student learning objectives, instruction includes: lectures, discussions, projects,
collaborative learning activities, computer-mediated communication, and presentations. Course may be
presented as face-to-face, hybrid, and/or online.
Assessment Method(s)
Final grades will be a compilation of grades from individual/group projects, papers, research,
examinations and quizzes, computer-mediated communication, attendance, and participation (online
and in class).
Textual Material(s)
Title:
Author or Editor:
Publisher:
Date
The Nonverbal Communication Book
Joseph A. DeVito
Kendall Hunt
2014