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Crime, Deviance and Social Control

Available as a concentration 

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.

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.

court jury

Curriculum & Courses

Sample Course Offerings

SOCI 237: Deviant Behavior  
SOCI 238: Juvenile Delinquency 
SOCI 334: Criminology 

Students sitting in a courtroom for a mock trial

Student Experiences

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.

Students visit the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center

Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program at Roanoke County Jail

Dr. Ball inside-out classDr. Daisy Ball, assistant professor of criminal justice, launched an Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program class at Roanoke College. Inside-Out is a unique international educational program that brings traditional college students (“outsiders”) together for semester-long learning with incarcerated individuals (“insiders”). Roanoke College’s program is one of only a handful of Inside-Out programs in Virginia.

The Roanoke College/Roanoke County Jail course meets once a week, and all students who complete the course receive one course credit. Inside-Out’s mission is to foster social change through transformative education. The program exposes traditional college students to the realities of incarceration, while exposing inmates to academic content and pro-social interactions with college students.

“Involvement in the Inside-Out program is a highly educational and memorable experience for all involved,” Ball said. “ This program epitomizes Roanoke College’s commitment to both experiential learning and community involvement.”

Careers & Outcomes

RC Alumnus, FBI Agent, Earns “Top Cop” Honorable Mention

Stanley Meador ‘96, a criminal justice major at Roanoke, was recognized with a national tribute award for law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C.. 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.

Stanley Meador, left, receives the Top Cop award from John Strong, Special Agent-In-Charge of the FBI Charlotte Division.

Faculty

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News

  • Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshell

    This interactive workshop, the first of a two-part event, is intended to train researchers to better communicate their work with people outside of their field. Folks from all programs are encouraged to attend!

    Date:
    March 27, 2026
    Time:
    4 - 6 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Workshop: Communicating Your Research in a Nutshellevent image

  • Nutshell Games Competition

    Engaged in research? Consider competing in this year's Nutshell Games Competition for a chance to win an Amazon e-gift card.

    Date:
    April 21, 2026
    Time:
    6 - 7:30 p.m.
    Location:

    Antrim Chapel

    Nutshell Games Competitionevent image

Interested in studying crime, deviance and social control at Roanoke College?

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