J.J. Sylvia IV

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Communications Media School of Arts and Sciences
J.J. Sylvia IV
978.665.3418 Office: CNIC 335
Office Hours
Fall 2025

Thursdays 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fridays 12:30 - 2 p.m.

Website

Courses Taught

To see course descriptions go to the University Catalog.

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies (COMM 1205)
Data & Society (COMM 4007)
Rhetoric in Greece (COMM 4008)
Human Communication (COMM 4200)
Seminar in Communication Theory (COMM 4205)
Media & Society (COMM 4206)
Communications Law and Ethics (COMM 4230)
Media Criticism (COMM 4240)
Critical Making (COMM 4300)
Creative Coding (COMM 3206)
Communication Ethics (COMM 7005)
Quantitative Research Methods (COMM 9024)
Data and Analytics (COMM 9025)
Capstone for Social Media (COMM 9970)
Game Studies Seminar (GAME 4000)
Current Events & Service Learning (HON 1020)
AI in Communication Strategy (COMM 7400)
Issues in Digital Media Innovation (DMI 1200)
DMI Capstone (DMI 4799)
DMI Capstone Fieldwork (DMI 4800)

Background

Ph.D., North Carolina State University (Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media)
M.A., The University of Southern Mississippi (Philosophy)
B.A., Mississippi State University (Communication, Philosophy)

Dr. Sylvia’s research explores how media and technology shape human identity, communication, and society. He studies how platforms such as LiveJournal became tools of disinformation, how generative AI is transforming professional practice and media ethics, and how posthuman theory helps us understand the blurred boundaries between humans and technologies. His recent projects also investigate the use of virtual reality to foster empathy around racial microaggressions and the development of open-access resources that examine the social impacts of data and communication technologies.

During the 2025-2026 academic year, he will be launching the first academic journal hosted by Fitchburg State University, titled The Journal of Critical Posthumanisms. 

2025: “Parallel Crises: The Underlying Science Infodemic that the COVID-19 Pandemic Revealed,” in International Journal of Mass Communication, Vol. 3. 89–107.  Published with FSU faculty Viera Lorencová (Comm Media), Kyle Moody (Comm Media), Wafa Unus (English Studies), Renée Fratantonio (Library), Collin Syfert (English Studies) and including research by FSU students. 

2025: “Impacts of Intersectional Dual-Perspective VR Experiences on Empathy and Understanding of Microaggressions,” in Human Technology, Vol. 21, No. 1. 73-105. Published with FSU faculty Zachary Miner (Sociology) and Jessica Oehrlein (Math) and including creative work from FSU students. 
 
2024: Introduction to Communication and Media Studies. OER Textbook with FSU student contributions.
 

2024: The Data Renaissance: Analyzing the Disciplinary Impacts of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Beyond. OER textbook co-written by FSU students. 

2024: Special Issue on Posthuman Media in the Journal of Posthumanism. 

2024: Special Issue on Generative AI in the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication.
 
2023: History of Fitchburg, collaborative student project. 
 
2022: History of the Arts in Fitchburg Walking Tour, collaborative FSU student project.
 
2022:  Fitchburg Historic Districts Walking Tour, collaborative FSU student project. 

Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Member
Society of Philosophers in America (SOPHIA)
Society for the Philosophy of Information (SPI) 
National Philosophical Counseling Association (NPCA)