معرفی
Jonathan Seitz serves as Teaching Professor of History and Assistant Department Head in the Department of History at Drexel University, with affiliations to the Center for Science, Technology and Society, Center for Interdisciplinary Study, and Jewish Studies program. His office is located in 5024 MacAlister.
His educational background includes:
- BA in Chemistry and History from Swarthmore College
- MA in History of Science from University of Wisconsin - Madison
- PhD in History of Science from University of Wisconsin - Madison
Professor Seitz specializes in early modern European history (1400s-1700s), focusing on the critical intersections between science, medicine, and religion. His research examines how historical actors distinguished natural phenomena from supernatural events, particularly through analysis of Inquisition witchcraft trials and Catholic healing practices in Venice. He investigates the construction of expertise, conflicts between religious and medico-scientific authorities, and the global transformations that reshaped belief systems during this period.
His publication trajectory demonstrates deepening analysis of institutional power structures - evolving from witchcraft prosecution mechanisms (2009-2011) to inquisitorial networks (2018) and finally to the professionalization of exorcists (2022). These works, grounded in Venetian and Vatican archival research, reveal persistent tensions between emerging scientific paradigms and religious traditions regarding nature, expertise, and authority.
Professor Seitz mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers while directing departmental operations as Assistant Department Head. His scholarly projects have received significant grant support from the American Historical Association and Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, enabling extensive archival work in Italy.
He actively contributes to Drexel's interdisciplinary initiatives through the Center for Science, Technology and Society and Center for Interdisciplinary Study, while also participating in Jewish Studies programming that complements his research on religious history.
