Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management, enrolled in the specialisation ‘Governance of Violence’, can take this course.
Description
The fields of policing studies and violence studies are separate but at the same time interlinked. (Interpersonal) violence can have far-reaching consequences in terms of victimisation and overall perceptions of security. Interventions to prevent violence or mitigate its consequences rely on a constellation of different actors, including policing actors such as law enforcement. As an extension of the state, the latter policing actor enforces laws through the threat or actual use of force. While force can be applied in a legitimate way, it does not necessarily mean its consequences are less severe, and there are plenty of examples of excessive use of force as well.
In this course, we will first focus on definitions of violence and policing, followed by an empirical exploration of these concepts. In terms of violence this means answering questions like: who offends, who becomes the victim, and in what context? In terms of policing, we will analyze the different kinds of policing actors, their competences and tasks, and how these actors are used in different contexts. You will become acquainted with the key criminological, institutional, psychological and sociological perspectives used in studying violence and policing, and key prevention and intervention measures in regard to violence. By zooming in on specific applications and interventions, you will gain an advanced understanding of the societal dynamics of violence, and ways in which policing and other forms of social control are used to curb these dynamics.
The course consists of interactive lectures, supplemented with a range of readings, podcasts and video material The key skill that Introduction to the Study of Violence and Policing focuses on is teaching students how to set up, conduct and write a systematic literature review. This skill allows students to reach a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research on violence and/or policing, and to learn how to present that knowledge effectively. By critically assessing and reviewing relevant academic literature, students will better understand the academic debates in the area of violence and policing studies.
Course Objectives
After completing the course, the student will be able to:
1. Have advanced knowledge and understanding of the main disciplinary approaches in the fields of interpersonal violence and policing.
2. Have advanced knowledge and understanding of the cultural, legal, political, psychological and social factors that shape interpersonal violence and policing, at the local, national and international level.
3. Discuss the main challenges and opportunities that relevant stakeholders in the field of interpersonal violence and policing, including local (non) governmental actors and the public, private actors, as well as (inter) national governmental actors, are confronted with in a multi-actor and multi-level security context.
4. Provide strategic analysis on ‘what works’ to prevent interpersonal violence and mitigate its consequences, including effective policing strategies.
5. Translate research-based findings into strategies for preventing, intervening and curbing interpersonal violence, including police interventions.
6. Present arguments and analyses of an academic project, individually and as a group, both in written (paper) as well as in accessible (infographic) form.
7. Self-evaluate and reflect after interactive in-class work and individual assignments.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
This course will be taught through interactive lectures and guest lectures (2 sessions a week). In the lectures, students will learn the key principles of research, and the relevant concepts and methodologies.
Attendance is mandatory. Students are only allowed to miss more than one lecture if there are special, demonstrable personal circumstances. The Board of Examiners, in consultation with the study advisors, will decide on such an exceptional exemption of mandatory attendance
Total study load: 280h
contact hours: 42h
self-study (reading, preparing lectures, assignments, etc.): 238h
In this 10 ECTS course, we will focus on the research skill assignment that is going to be part of your portfolio. Specific information on the portfolio assignment and the intended learning outcomes that are being acquired will be published in the syllabus of this course.
Assessment method
The learning goals associated with this course (see above) will be assessed through:
Quizzes
15% of final grade
resit not possible
Grade must be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Class participation
5% of final grade
resit not possible
Grade must be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Mid-term group paper
25% of final grade
resit not possible
Grade must be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Final paper
55% of final grade
Resit is possible
Resit takes the same form
Grade must be 5.50 or higher to pass the course
Additional, formative (non-graded) assignments are mandatory.
Failed partial grades on any assignment weighing less than 30% should be compensated by a passed partial grade on an assignment weighing more than 30%. This means that only the final paper is eligible for a resit.
The calculated total grade and the individual assignment must be at least 5,50 in order to pass the course.
Attendance is mandatory. Students are only allowed to miss more than one lecture if there are special, demonstrable personal circumstances. The Board of Examiners, in consultation with the study advisors, will decide on such an exceptional exemption of mandatory attendance
Transitional arrangement
Please be aware that passed partial grades obtained in academic year 2025-2026 are no longer valid during academic year 2026-2027.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Register yourself via MyStudymap for each course, workgroup and exam (not all courses have workgroups and/or exams).
Do so on time, before the start of the course; some courses and workgroups have limited spaces. You can view your personal schedule in MyTimetable after logging in.
Registration for this course is possible from Wednesday 16 July 2025, 13.00h
Leiden University uses Brightspace as its online learning management system. After enrolment for the course in MyStudymap you will be automatically enrolled in the Brightspace environment of this course.
More information on registration via MyStudymap can be found on this page.
Contact
Contact us at: csm@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
The corresponding Brightspace course will become available one week prior to the first seminar.
Given that this course concerns an introductory and overview course to the phenomenon of interpersonal violence and policing, students are strongly encouraged to enrol by September (rather than enrolling half-way in February).