Seminar: Proxemics – Space & Communication COMM 401
syllabus | schedule of events
Queens University of Charlotte
Fall 2012

August 22
Welcome to Seminar

August 27 & 29
Proxemics and Personal Space: a foundation
Topic Selections in class on Aug. 29
Readings:

• Hall (Chapters 1, 9, & 10)
• Wikipedia: Proxemics 

September 3 & 5
No class – students are advised to enroll in COMM 360, Charlotte and the Convention

September 10 & 12
Does Space Determine our Proxemics?
Readings:

• Strange & Banning (2001)

September 17 & 19
Nonverbal use of space
Journal Assessment 1 (8 entries) – due Sept 17.
Readings:

• Costa

September 24 & 26
Cities and Public Spaces: How do they impact us?
Annotated bibliography – due Sept. 24.
Readings:

• Gehl, Chapter 1
• Kunstler (2004) TED Talk

• Gehl, Chapter 2

October 8 & 10
Wayfinding & Navigation
Attendance out of class: Mapping Innovation: Digital Entrepreneur Nick Such on October 8, 6:30 pm
Literature Reviews – due Oct. 10
Readings:

• Gibson (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4)
• Design Taxi: NY Signs Get Update

October 15
Dr. McArthur on Queue Theory
Readings:

• 99% invisible (2012): Queue Theory [podcast]
• Clark: iPads Make DMV Less Horrible [WebProNews]
• Trulia: Visualize your Commute [Mashable]
• Dorell: Arlington Cemetery App [USAToday]

October 17
Jimmy Baker on Proxemics
Readings:

• Studio Mode Grill Interview (EBSCOHOST login required)
• Poldma 2010 (read only sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4)

October 22
Journal Assessment 2 (8 new entries)
Max Kaczynski on City and Urban Design
Readings:

• Jan Gehl: Cities for People – Watch Chapters 2, 5, & *8 (especially chapter 8)
• Brasília
• Melbourne City Square (available on Moodle)

October 24
Final opportunity to turn in revisions to Literature Reviews (for additional credit)
Sabrina Simpson on Retail Proxemics (class will meet at the entrance to Anthropologie at South Park Mall)
Readings:

• The Ultimate Retail Makeover
• Retail Mall Semiotics
• Best Visual Merchandising Team

October 29
Diandra Tretiu on Proxemics in Education
Readings: TBD

October 31
Raulston Boger on Office Proxemics
Readings:

• Elsbach (2004)
• Modern Office Design Images

November 5
Derek Young on Proxemics in Sporting Venues
Readings:

• A framework for examining sports venues
• One Hockey Arena

November 7
Abbey Price on Feng Shui
Readings:

• 2 articles on Feng Shui and Communication (available on Moodle)

November 12
Journal Assessment 3 (8 new entries) – due Nov. 1
Mena Shenouda on Proxemics and Product Placement
Readings: TBD

November 14, 19, 21
No class meetings due to NCA and Thanksgiving Break

November 26
Kate Goodman on Proxemics in the Courtroom
Readings:

• Judging by the Numbers: An Empirical Study of the Power of Story.
• It’s Not What You Say but How You Say it: The Role of Personality and Identity in Trial Success.
• National Institute of Building Sciences, Courthouse
  Identify the major bullet points listed to familiarize yourself with the spatial sections of the courtroom that we will be discussing together in class

November 28
Previewing Multimedia Presentations
Conduct your assigned peer reviews during our class time

December 3 & 5
Multimedia Presentations

December 10
Journal Assessment 4 (final 8 entries) – due Dec. 10