Gareth Edel
University Lecturer, Humanities & Social Sciences
317 (Inner Office) Cullimore Hall (CULM)
About Me
I am an Interdisciplinary Social Scientist with an interest in the Socio-cultural Studies of Medicine, Science and Technology. But I'm the sort of geek who wants to understand everything works, and how everything got to be the way it is.
I went to a small alternative liberal arts college, worked in advertising, social work education, management, and then returned to school for graduate study. I received degrees in Science and Technology Studies from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute. I have previously taught in the City of New York University System. Now I'm pleased to be a part of the Science Technology and Society Program, in the Humanities, College of Science and Liberal Arts.
I went to a small alternative liberal arts college, worked in advertising, social work education, management, and then returned to school for graduate study. I received degrees in Science and Technology Studies from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute. I have previously taught in the City of New York University System. Now I'm pleased to be a part of the Science Technology and Society Program, in the Humanities, College of Science and Liberal Arts.
Education
Ph.D.
; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
; Science And Technology Studies
; 2014
M.S. ; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ; Science And Technology Studies ; 2012
B.A. ; Hampshire College ; Sociocultural Studies Of Science And Medicine ; 2000
M.S. ; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ; Science And Technology Studies ; 2012
B.A. ; Hampshire College ; Sociocultural Studies Of Science And Medicine ; 2000
Office Hours
Monday 12- 1, Tuesday 12-2, wed 12:30- 4pm Drop-in, Drop in hours are simultaneously in office face to face and digital Zoom available. Wednesday and Friday Digital appointments on Zoom are available on request.
Website
2025 Fall Courses
PHIL 334 - ENGINEERING ETHICS
STS 221 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
STS 325 - ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE- HONORS
STS 325 - ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE
HSS 404 - STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
STS 221 - INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
STS 325 - ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE- HONORS
STS 325 - ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE
HSS 404 - STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
Teaching Interests
I draw on Science & Technology Studies, Foucault & Discourse Analysis, Sociology & Social Theory, Medical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Digital & Contemporary Rhetoric in my teaching, and am developing new courses about the medical humanities and the socio-cultural studies of medicine.
I currently teach: Understanding Technological Society (Introduction to social sciences and contemporary issues); Engineering Ethics; Senior Seminar- Medicine and Globalization; Technology and Human Values.
I am developing a 200 level advanced introduction to the Medical Humanities.
I currently teach: Understanding Technological Society (Introduction to social sciences and contemporary issues); Engineering Ethics; Senior Seminar- Medicine and Globalization; Technology and Human Values.
I am developing a 200 level advanced introduction to the Medical Humanities.
Past Courses
HSS 404: HUMANITIES, HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SENIOR SEMINAR
HSS 404: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
HSS 404: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION - HONORS
HSS 408: HUMANITIES SENIOR SEMINAR - SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
HSS 408: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
HSS 410: HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SENIOR SEMINAR
PHIL 334: ENGINEERING ETHICS
PHIL 334: ENGINEERING ETHICS AND TECHNOLOGICAL PRACTICE: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ENGINEERING
STS 201: UND TECH SOC: INTRO STS
STS 201: UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
STS 221: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
STS 221: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY - HONORS
STS 310: TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN VALUES
STS 310: TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN VALUES - HONORS
STS 325: ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE
STS 325: ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE - HONORS
HSS 404: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
HSS 404: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION - HONORS
HSS 408: HUMANITIES SENIOR SEMINAR - SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
HSS 408: STS SEM: MEDICINE AND GLOBALIZATION
HSS 410: HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SENIOR SEMINAR
PHIL 334: ENGINEERING ETHICS
PHIL 334: ENGINEERING ETHICS AND TECHNOLOGICAL PRACTICE: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ENGINEERING
STS 201: UND TECH SOC: INTRO STS
STS 201: UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
STS 221: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
STS 221: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY - HONORS
STS 310: TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN VALUES
STS 310: TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN VALUES - HONORS
STS 325: ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE
STS 325: ST: MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY: PATHOLOGY AND DEVIANCE - HONORS
Research Interests
My primary research interests focus on the institutions and culture of medicine today. My dissertation work, and main research since has combined social science theories of Choice and Discourse Analysis, and have focused on the development and expansion of "Medical Tourism" as an industry. This related to the ongoing shifts in United States medical Discourse & Practice under Neoliberlism, and within Biomedicalization; Discourses of "Choice" and their relation to marginalization and systems of ideology as shaping technoscience.
Additional Interests Include: Political Economics and Economic Sociology; Game Studies & Contemporary cultural Studies of Table top Role Playing Games; Identity & Performativity (particularly around issues of Race/Class/Gender/National Identity)
Additional Interests Include: Political Economics and Economic Sociology; Game Studies & Contemporary cultural Studies of Table top Role Playing Games; Identity & Performativity (particularly around issues of Race/Class/Gender/National Identity)