Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management, enrolled in the specialisation ‘Governance of Radicalism, Extremism and Terrorism’, can take this course.
Description
Researching terrorism requires a thorough understanding of how knowledge on this subject is produced, by whom, and the robustness of this knowledge as it is utilized by a range of actors both within and beyond the walls of the academy. By combining topical subject content and the literature review research skills, students will strengthen their knowledge and understanding of how the field of terrorism studies developed, and strengths and limitations of methods, theories, concepts and ethics within the field. This course will hone students’ ability to review, synthesize, and assess academic knowledge of (counter-)terrorism. Students will get to know the state of the art in the multidisciplinary field of terrorism studies and delve into ongoing academic and policy debates. The course introduces students to advanced topics and concepts in (counter-) terrorism and (counter-)radicalisation thereby creating a foundation for future learning in the TPV specialisation and current/future careers. The course will combine interactive working methods and teamwork with individual study.
Research skill: Literature review
Whether related to terrorism or another aspect of security studies, the ability to review, assess, summarize, synthesize, and present existing knowledge and ‘evidence’ relevant to important societal phenomena in both individual and group capacities is a key professional skill for those pursuing careers related to the management of crises and security challenges. Moreover, understanding and being able to compile and review knowledge on controversial topics like (counter-) terrorism is an important enabler of responsible citizenship, and crucial for informed policy formation and the development of relevant practices.
Course Objectives
After finalising this course, students are able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the contributions, advances, and shortcomings of the academic study of (counter-)terrorism and (counter-)radicalisation;
2. Critically study, search, sort, prioritize, synthesize, and assess the body of knowledge on specific topics relating to (counter-)terrorism and (counter-) radicalisation, to produce a comprehensive account of relevant literature and assessment of its quality, through a succint synopsis and discussion of fundamental debates and gaps in knowledge;
3. Identify new and long-standing topics within terrorism research as well as those that have received little to no attention;
4. Understand the main methodological, theoretical, and conceptual approaches taken in the study of terrorism;
5. Tailor the presentation of results to fit the needs of academic as well as policymaker and practitioner audiences;
6. Communicate knowledge and synthesize research by combining individual and group-work formats to complete the course assignments;
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
Instruction is through a combination of interactive lectures and activating workgroups (two sessions per week). In the lectures, students will learn the key principles of research, and the relevant concepts and methodologies. In the workgroups, students will practice research design and methods by applying the concepts, testing theories, and analysing empirical material. The workgroups will, amongst others, consist of in-class assignments, discussions pertaining to reading of the week, team performances, peer review and exercises and feature several compulsory formative (non-graded) assignments that will help the student prepare for the summative (graded) assignments.
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.
10 EC = 280 hours
Contact hours = 42 hours
Self-study hours = 238
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
Assessment for this course is based on three assignments:
Discussion posts
20% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5,50 is required to pass the course
Resit not possible
Individual paper assignment
50% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5,50 is required to pass the course
Resit is possible
Resit will take the same form
Group assignment
30% of final grade
Grade can be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Resit not possible
Additional, formative (non-graded) assignments are an obligatory part of the course. The calculated overall course grade must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course. If the calculated overall course grade is lower than 5.50, students are also permitted to resit the 60% individual paper.
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.
In the case of written assessment methods, the examiner can always initiate a follow-up conversation with the student to establish whether the learning objectives have been met.
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
Each week there are 2-4 essential readings listed in the syllabus that all students are expected to read, as well as a long list of relevant articles from which students will be required to read 1-2 per week. This format is meant to allow for a shared literature base per course, with the opportunity for students to also explore themes of personal interest to them.
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, 13:00 h
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
Dr. Joana Cook [mailto:j.l.i.cook@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Please see the in-class office hours as your first point of call for questions and comments and use email only for particularly pressing issues.