Crime, Deviance and Social Control
The crime, deviance and social control 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.
The program offers you a view of crime, deviance and social control from three distinct disciplines—sociology, psychology and criminal justice.
We regularly bring 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.
While this concentration is relatively new, Roanoke students taking similar sociology and criminal justice coursework have entered graduate programs at the University of Virginia and Washington and Lee law schools. Others have secured jobs as paralegals, probation officers, case managers, social workers and police officers.
Sample Course Offerings:
- SOCI 237: Deviant Behavior
- SOCI 238: Juvenile Delinquency
- SOCI 334: Criminology
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‘Crossing the River Styx’
A new book co-authored by a Roanoke College professor guides readers through the shrouded world of death row.
RC Alumnus, FBI Agent, Earns “TOP COP” Honorable Mention
Stanley Meador ‘96, criminal justice major, was recognized with a national tribute award for law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C. in May. After playing a key role in finding a child who had been abducted from her home, he received a National Association of Police Organization “Top Cop” Honorable Mention award. The six-year old girl was found alive by Meador and other FBI agents. Meador serves as the Supervisory Senior Resident Agent with the FBI in Wilmington.
Students visit the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center
Experiential learning opportunities include trips to the regional jail and the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center and observing confidential proceedings in Juvenile Court.