Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
petersnes@appstate.edu
(828) 262-6169
Elicka Sparks, PhD


Achievements
- Outstanding Teacher in Arts and Sciences Award (2016)
- Academy of Outstanding Teachers Award
- Kappa Sigma Kick-Ass Professor Award for “best lectures” from Florida State University
- Outstanding Teacher Meritorious Service Award from the University of Missouri
- 50 Most Frequently Cited Articles in Homicide Studies
- 50 Most Frequently Cited Articles in Punishment and Society

Areas of Specialty
- Theory
- Religion and crime
- Situational contexts of crime
- Interpersonal violence
- Homicide

Publications
Dr. Sparks recent publications include the books:
- The Devil You Know: The Surprising Link between Conservative Christianity and Crime (Prometheus)
- Intimate Partner Violence: Effective Procedure, Policy and Response (Taylor & Francis)
And she is the author of a best-cited article:
- “Murder as Self Help: Women and Intimate Partner Homicide” (Homicide Studies Vol. 3(1): 30-46.)
She has published in journals such as:
- Theoretical Criminology
- Punishment & Society
- The Sex Offender Law Review
- International Criminal Justice Review
- The Justice Professional
- The Journal of Criminal Justice Education

Courses Taught
- Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Juvenile Procedures
- Victimology
- Homicide
- Female Crime and Delinquency
- Criminology and Criminal Justice Theory
- Juvenile Justice
- Writing in Criminal Justice
- White Collar Crime
- Statistics
- Victimology