Jason Tocci

Assistant Professor, Communication
Annenberg Library & Communications Center
617-731-7614
toccijason@pmc.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 2009
    Dissertation Title: "Geek Cultures: Media and Identity in the Digital Age"
  • M.A., University of Pennsylvania, 2006
  • B.A., English and Visual Storytelling, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2002

Professional Positions

  • Assistant Professor, Pine Manor College, 2009-present
    Department of Communications
  • Adjunct Professor, Suffolk University, 2008-2009
    Department of Communication & Journalism
  • Instructor/Teaching Assistant, University of Pennsylvania, 2003-2006
    Department of Communication

Publications

  • Tocci, J. (forthcoming). “To save comics, I had to destroy it”: Developing visual language in response to marginalization. Journal of Popular Culture.
  • Tocci, J. (forthcoming). Arcadian rhythms: Gaming and interaction in social space. Reconstruction.
  • Tocci, J. (2008). “You have died. Continue?”: Conflicts and complements in game rules and fiction. Eludamos, 2(2), 187–201.
  • Tocci, J. (2008). Seeking truth in video game ratings: Content considerations for media
  • Tocci, J. (2008). Book review: Benedikt Feldges, American icons: The genesis of a national visual language. International Journal of Communication, 2, 34–8.
  • Tocci, J. (under review). The space invaders: An ethnographic digital video.

Presentations and Lectures

  • Tocci, J. (2008). “To save comics, I had to destroy it”: Developing visual language in response to marginalization. Presented at International Communication Association, Montreal, Canada, May 2008.
  • Tocci, J. (2008). Getting 1UP on death: Failure and consequences in narrative video games. Presented at
    Popular Culture Association National Conference, San Francisco, CA, March 2008.
  • Tocci, J. (2007). Rated M for moral panic: Content considerations in video game legislation. Presented at National Communication Association, Chicago, IL, November 2007.
  • Tocci, J. (2007). Arcadian rhythms: Video games, public space, and the off-screen experience. Presented at International Communication Association, San Francisco, CA, May 2007.
  • Tocci, J. (2007). The well-dressed geek: Media appropriation and subcultural style. Presented at Media in Transition 5, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, April 2007.
  • Messaris, P. and Tocci, J. (2005). Digital FX in movies. Presented at Media Ecology Association, New York, NY, June 2005.
  • Tocci, J. (2008, June 11.) "Regulating interactive media." Invited talk. Department of Communication, IE University. Madrid, Spain.
  • Tocci, J. (2008, February 27). “The social logic of ‘geek chic.’ ” Invited talk. Department of Communication, Loyola College of Maryland. Baltimore, MD.
  • Tocci, J. (2007, October 24). “Nerds and race.” Guest lecture for English Writing Program, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA.
  • Tocci, J. (2007, October 22). “Ethnography and fandom.” Guest lecture for English Writing Program, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, PA.

Research Experience

  • SummerCulture 2007: “(In)visible Culture: Cultural Conflict and Portuguese Society”, Summer 2007
    Research Fellow
    Participated in an immersive program co-sponsored by Portuguese Catholic University and the Annenberg Scholars Program in Culture & Communication. Included seminars and opportunities to extend ethnographic research on Portuguese gaming, media fandom, and sport.
  • Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Spring 2007
    Research Assistant to Dr. John L. Jackson, Jr.
    Apprenticed in researching for a film on civil rights activist Jefferson Rogers and the Howard Thurman Lecture Series.
  • PennDesign, University of Pennsylvania, Summer 2005
    Research Assistant to Laurie Churchman
    Collected and analyzed data on graphic design bachelors’ degree programs nationwide for a PennDesign grant project investigating departmental restructuring options.
  • Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Fall 2005 and 2004
    Research Assistant to Dr. Paul Messaris
    Scanned and performed digital touch-up on ads used in articles and teaching materials. Recorded video game play samples for teaching materials.
  • Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Fall 2003
    Research Assistant to Dr. Katherine Sender
    Tracked down, scanned, and performed digital photo editing and touch-up on magazine covers and ads for Business, Not Politics: The Making of the Gay Market.
  • Comparative Literature Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Fall 1999-Spring 2000
    Research Assistant to Dr. Maria Tymoczko
    Assisted in editing and proofreading Translation and Power.

Production Experience

  • GradFest07, University of Pennsylvania, Winter 2007-Spring 2007
    Outreach Committee Member
    Designed logo, t-shirts, and web graphics for Penn’s first University-wide graduate and professional student celebration. Supervised vendors on day of the event.
  • Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, University of Pennsylvania, Summer 2006-Spring 2007
    Vice Chair for Public Relations
    Redesigned website appearance and navigation; directed coder in redesigning backend. Redesigned logo.Designed magnets, flyers, and banner. Coordinated email announcements. Coordinated the PR Committee.
  • Valiant Entertainment, Summer 2006
    Graphic Designer & Consultant
    Designed booklet to showcase media properties to potential business collaborators. Consulted on fan interests and comic book culture.
  • Penn Humanities Forum, Summer 2006
    Graphic Designer
    Redesigned website appearance and navigation; directed coder in redesigning backend. Designed two promotional booklets and logo for “Word and Image” symposium.
  • Penn Traditions, University of Pennsylvania Penn Praxis, Spring 2005-Summer 2005
    Designer
    Collaborated with other designers to create full-color cards and embossed tins promoting Penn Traditions, a program within the Alumni Relations Office. Managed production of materials.
  • Collaboration to Reduce Hypertension, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Fall 2004-Summer 2005
    Graphic Designer
    Produced logo, animation, illustrations, visual design, and print supplements for computer-administered medical intervention, optimizing imagery for users with potential sight problems and low computer literacy.
  • Boston Mobilization, Summer 2004
    Grassroots Media Project Intern
    Redesigned website appearance, navigation, and backend for politically progressive nonprofit organization. Illustrated, designed, and managed production of print promotional materials for events and fundraising.
  • Vertigo, DC Comics, Summer 2001
    Editorial Intern
    Interfaced with editorial department, paste-up department, and letterers to correct art and textual errors and to plan lettering layouts for comic books on monthly deadlines.

Service, Memberships, and Honors

  • Panel Chair, Popular Culture Association, 2008
  • Outreach Committee Member, GradFest07, University of Pennsylvania, 2007
  • Vice Chair for Public Relations, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly, University of Pennsylvania, 2006-2007
  • Graduate Student Mentor, Annenberg Mentoring Program, 2005-2008
  • Volunteer, Revolution: Philadelphia, AIGA National Design Education Conference, 2005
  • Member, International Communication Association
  • Member, National Communication Association
  • Member, Popular Culture Association
  • Dissertation Research Fellowship, Annenberg School for Communication, 2007-2008
  • Annenberg Summer Fellowship for participation in SummerCulture, 2007
  • Greek Week Faculty Honor Certificate, University of Pennsylvania, 2007-2008
  • Annenberg Summer Fellowship for field research and interviews, 2006