MSU鈥檚 criminology program raises inequality awareness through sociology-based curriculum
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥斘蘧∽试床杉 State is known across the country for its diverse learning environment for students that cultivates academic, social, and emotional development. One way the university is enhancing students鈥 understanding of national and global social inequalities is through course offerings in its criminology program.
Housed in MSU鈥檚 Department of Sociology, the program offers its students, many who are future law enforcement officers, a distinctive learning atmosphere as one of only a few with a sociology-based 聽curriculum. The bachelor's degree emphasizes the study of types, patterns, and trends in criminal behavior; social causes; and social response to crime and its effect on society.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum praised the MSU criminology program鈥檚 construct.
鈥淎t this point in our nation鈥檚 history, the focus of our criminology program is very timely and relevant,鈥 said Keenum. 鈥淏road-based societal issues are vital in the training of students who plan to work in the criminal justice system, and I鈥檓 pleased to see that this is being emphasized in our program.鈥
Nicole Rader, sociology department head and professor, said all criminology majors are required to take the Crime, Justice and Inequality course, and elective classes鈥擱ace, Crime and Justice in addition to Gender, Crime and Justice鈥攁re offered. The topic of inequality also is part of courses in policing, corrections, and law and society.
鈥淲e combine lessons about structural inequality鈥攔ace, class and gender in particular鈥攖hroughout our curriculum,鈥 Rader said. 鈥淚t is impossible for our criminology majors to get out of our program without understanding inequality.鈥
Rader is a Southern Illinois University doctoral graduate who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice from Central Methodist University and master鈥檚 in criminology from Drury University, both in Missouri. Criminology and gender, and qualitative methods are her primary research areas.聽
Rader said the College of Arts and Sciences is discussing inclusion of a law enforcement course as part of the college鈥檚 diversity certificate program.
鈥淲e still need to think through what this might look like, but we are excited about the possibility of providing additional training and knowledge on racial inequality to law enforcement officers,鈥 Rader said.
Learn more about MSU鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences at ; Department of Sociology at ; and the criminology major at .
MSU is 无尽资源采集鈥檚 leading university, available online at .