Workshop Body Language for Women - Q4

Participation Prerequisites

None

Course Content

There are many myths and a lot of ‘instructions’ about body language in popular literature: This is right, this is wrong, you should never do that or that, but this gesture is good for sure... maybe you've even read one of the many books about it.

But in body language there is only one right way: your very personal one. Because charisma and presence is not built through trained gestures - it arises when we know our very own body language possibilities and make full use of them.

In this workshop you will learn how to develop your individual body language. At the beginning we will discuss what body language is and how our own and the body language of others affects us. Then you will learn how to recognize your strengths in expression and how to position yourself self-confidently, but also how to align yourself respectfully.

An excursion into gender and performance will show you socialized stereotypical gender-behavior and its effects on body language.

The workshop always remains practice-oriented and close to everyday life: all acquired knowledge is put to the test, individualized and deepened in exercises distributed throughout the workshop.

Intended Learning Outcomes and Competencies

You will be able to communicate more relaxed, more consciously and thus more confidently with people - whether during a presentation, small talk or an upcoming job interview.

You will be able to recognize and maintain your safe space and negotiate it, when necessary.

You can contribute to challenge gender stereotypes and biases.

Form of Examination

Practical exercise at the end of the workshop

Literature

Basic Reading /Literatur:

Aviezer H., Trope Y., Todorov, A. : Body Cues, Not Facial Expressions, Discriminate Between Intense Positive and Negative Emotions; Science 338, 1225 (2012)

Petersen, M. & Laustsen, L.: Upper‐Body Strength and Political Egalitarianism: Twelve Conceptual Replications; International Society of Political Psychology (2018)

Optional Reading/weiterführende Literatur:

Amy Cuddy: Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, 2016

Diane Torr: Sex, Drag, and Male Roles: Investigating Gender as Performance, 2010

Alexander Todorov: Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions, 2017

Julie Hederson: Embodying Well-Being, oder Wie man sich trotz allem wohl fühlen kann (english), 2001

Paul Ekman:Understanding emotions and feelings, 2010