PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT This assignment is an excellent way for students to practice what they have learned about reading micro-expressions and physical language in a controlled, non-public setting

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

This assignment is an excellent way for students to practice what they have learned about reading micro-expressions and physical language in a controlled, non-public setting. Sitcoms often have exaggerated physicality and facial expressions, so they are the perfect material on which to practice.

Students are often amazed by how much they can figure out about what is happening without the sound on, and that revelation serves as encouragement that they are becoming better readers of nonverbal language. This assignment also serves as a good formative assessment for the instructor, because students who struggle with this assignment may need additional resources and support around reading nonverbal language.

 ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

For this assignment, you are going to watch part of a sitcom of your choice with the sound off. Choose an episode you've not seen before (but from a show for which you are familiar with the characters) and watch from the beginning of the episode (after the opening credits) to the first commercial break (about 10-12 minutes). As you watch, take notes about what you think is going on based on the body language and facial expressions of the actors. Then, watch the same portion of the sitcom with the sound on and compare what is actually said and what happens to the notes you took.

Once you’ve completed the activity, write a response about what you discovered (approximately two pages). Connect the experience to the course texts by using quotes to support your thoughts where applicable. Your response should answer the following questions: |

1. Were you able to discern what was happening without sound? Why or why not?

2. What served as the best indicators?

3. Were certain characters easier to read than others? Why?

4. How is this exercise relevant to your own life?

5. How is this exercise connected to the course readings?