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Crime, Deviance, and Social Control

The Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (CDSC) concentration guides students toward a deeper understanding of the behaviors designated by societies as deviant or criminal, as well as methods used to manage those behaviors. 

Why Study Crime, Deviance, and Social Control at Roanoke? 

  • Work closely with leaders in their fields. Students can build relationships with faculty who have a range of relevant life experience and expertise:
    • A former U.S. Attorney
    • A longtime probation supervisor for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
    • An expert on family relations and criminology
    • An expert in behavior and the effects of drugs 
  • Find your balance. The program offers students a view of crime, deviance, and social control from three disciplines – sociology, psychology, and criminal justice. This balanced approach allows students to gear the coursework toward their specific interests.
  • Take part in the conversation. Roanoke regularly brings nationally recognized speakers to campus to discuss issues relating to law. Recent speakers range from retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to author Piper Kerman, whose book Orange is the New Black chronicles the year she spent in a women’s prison for drug trafficking.

CDSC Concentration Requirements

Firsthand Learning Opportunities 

  • Go to the source. Experiential learning opportunities include trips to the regional jail, the juvenile detention home, and the extremely rare chance to observe confidential proceedings in Juvenile Court.
  • Take your pick. Students complete an internship, independent study, or honors in the major project as part of their coursework. Roanoke students have served as interns with County Juvenile Court Services, Roanoke City Juvenile Court Services, and the Roanoke County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
  • Venture out. Roanoke offers an exclusive internship experience through the Washington Semester Program, a small, personalized program where students live, study, and intern in the nation’s capital while earning academic credit.