Abby Knight
JSU News Bureau

JACKSONVILLE -- October 24, 2002 -- When the seminar on Satanic Tourism starts on Saturday, October 26th at 8 a.m., don't expect to be handed a map and a compass to help you tour locations of cult activity. And Dr. Gordon Crews, head of Jacksonville State University's Department of Criminal Justice, who will be conducting the seminar, likes to remind people that it is not a "how-to" course either.

The seminar, which is sponsored by JSU chapter of Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the American Criminal Justice Association, is entitled "Chasing Shadows: Confronting Occult and Satanic Violence in America."

The seminar will offer an overview of the "possible impacts alternative lifestyles, beliefs and practices can have on human behavior." Instead of providing a road map to satanistic sites, it will discuss the dangers involved in satanic dabbling.

Crews has researched the connection between Satanism and crime, particularly the link to juvenile crime, for over ten years. It began when he worked in law enforcement as a bloodhound officer. Since then he has published numerous articles and books, as well as conducted seminars on the subject.

The seminar is worth one 400-level credit hour. It starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 26th in Merrill Building. The cost is $35 for LAW members, $40 for JSU students and $50 for non-students. To register, contact the Department of Criminal Justice at (256) 782-5335.