MSUâs criminology program raises inequality awareness through sociology-based curriculum
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.âMississippi ´ķĪķAPP 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 studentsâ understanding of national and global social inequalities is through course offerings in its criminology program.
Housed in MSUâs 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  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 programâs construct.
âAt this point in our nationâs history, the focus of our criminology program is very timely and relevant,â said Keenum. âBroad-based societal issues are vital in the training of students who plan to work in the criminal justice system, and Iâm pleased to see that this is being emphasized in our program.â
Nicole Rader, sociology department head and professor, said all criminology majors are required to take the Crime, Justice and Inequality course, and elective classesâRace, Crime and Justice in addition to Gender, Crime and Justiceâare offered. The topic of inequality also is part of courses in policing, corrections, and law and society.
âWe combine lessons about structural inequalityârace, class and gender in particularâthroughout our curriculum,â Rader said. âIt is impossible for our criminology majors to get out of our program without understanding inequality.â
Rader is a Southern Illinois University doctoral graduate who earned a bachelorâs degree in criminal justice from Central Methodist University and masterâs in criminology from Drury University, both in Missouri. Criminology and gender, and qualitative methods are her primary research areas.Â
Rader said the College of Arts and Sciences is discussing inclusion of a law enforcement course as part of the collegeâs diversity certificate program.
âWe 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,â Rader said.
Learn more about MSUâs College of Arts and Sciences at ; Department of Sociology at ; and the criminology major at .
MSU is Mississippiâs leading university, available online at .