Faculty > Simon Gottschalk

With a Ph.D. from the University of California Santa Barbara, an M.A. from the University of Houston, and a B.A. from the University of Haifa (Israel), Dr. Gottschalk joined the department in 1992. Combining critical symbolic interaction theory and qualitative research methods, his interests revolve around understanding the society-psyche link in phenomena as varied as youth cultures, the mass media, mental disorders, terrorism, and interactions in virtual, urban, and natural spaces. His current research projects include the social psychology of computer-mediated communication, ecopsychology, mobility studies, and sensory social science. His articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Symbolic Interaction, Qualitative Sociology, the Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, the Journal of Consumer Culture, Studies in Symbolic Interaction, Space and Culture, Qualitative Inquiry, and others. He has also published book chapters in Inside Social Life: Readings in Social Psychology and Microsociology, Food for Thought, Social Science and Fiction, Drugs and Popular Culture, Pathology and the Postmodern. From 1996 through 2000, he directed the interdisciplinary Cultural Studies program at UNLV. Dr. Gottschalk is frequently interviewed by local, regional and national news outlets about a variety of social, psychological and cultural topics. After serving as editor of the journal Symbolic Interaction, he has been voted President of the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction in 2011.

Recent Courses Taught
 CST 200– Introduction to Cultural Studies
Soc 403/603– Techniques of Social Research
Soc 464/664– Advanced Social Psychology
Soc 473/673– Sociology of Mental Disorders
Soc 705– Qualitative Research Methods
Soc 769– Ecology, Sociology, and Social Psychology
Soc 771– The Virtual Society

Contact Dr. Gottschalk:
Office location: CBC-B 244
Email: karma@unlv.nevada.edu


Recent Publications
 The Senses in Self, Society, and Culture


Current Research Projects

Computer Mediated Communication
Extending Goffman’s theory of encounters, I am examining the social psychology of computer-mediated communication, locate its main risks, and suggest ways to avoid them.

Using Unscripted Simulation to Improve Communication in Healthcare Settings
Miscommunication is the main source of medical error. Relying on recent findings from social neurosciences, we use unscripted simulations to help participants improve their communication patterns among healthcare practitioners and with patients.

Sensory Social Sciences
In my recent co-authored articles and book The Senses in Self, Society and Culture, I explore the sensory dimension of the self, culture, and everyday life.