Chair: Allison Ann Payne, Ph.D.
Program Director: Heidi Grundetjern, Ph.D.
Office Location: 204 Saint Augustine Center
Telephone: (610) 519-4786
Website
About
Criminology an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with an understanding of the causes, social functions, nature and application of criminal law, and societal reactions to criminal law. Criminologists believe that people’s actions are strongly influenced by the conditions and situations in which they live, work, and play. Everybody makes decisions, but we recognize and study how social structures and institutions affect and constrain those decisions. Our goal as researchers is to expose and analyze the impacts of those circumstances on human decisions, societies, and opportunities. Methodologically, we incorporate multiple perspectives and analytical approaches to help create a more holistic understanding of our society. Rather than a technical program which focuses on applied skills, our program emphasizes the justice component. Our mission as teachers is to empower students to think critically and rigorously about individuals and societies. Through our diverse offerings on local, regional, national and global social processes, we strive to create more complete human beings with a keen sense of humanity, social justice, and appropriate social policy.