Faculty

Tom Porcello

Associate Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources and Associate Professor of Anthropology

  • Office: Main Building S220
  • Office hours: By appointment only - email thporcello@vassar.edu
  • Phone: 437-7244
  • Box: 14
  • Email: thporcello@vassar.edu

Thomas Porcello is Associate Professor of Anthropology and has served both as Director of Media Studies and as Co-Director of the Media Studies Development Project. Dr. Porcello is trained in linguistic anthropology and ethnomusicology, and has done extensive research in sound recording studios on technological and discursive practices involved in popular music production. In 2006 his co-edited book, Wired for Sound: Engineering and Technologies in Sonic Cultures (2005) was awarded a book prize by the Society for Ethnomusicology, and his work has appeared in several journals including Social Studies of Science, Ethnomusicology, Popular Music, and Current Musicology. Recently, he has begun work on a recording project that will highlight similarities and differences between live and recorded sounds of American baseball. Dr. Porcello has taught the Media Studies Senior Seminar, as well as two seminars, "Sound", and "Media(tized) Language" that are cross-listed between Media Studies and Anthropology.