Admission requirements
Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
The contemporary threat landscape facing European states has evolved. Growing numbers of politicians, public officials, journalists and scientists are subjected to threats, undermining the functioning of key democratic institutions. Hostile states, such as Russia, are increasingly reckless in their attempts to undermine politics at the national and European level through ‘hybrid’ warfare. Meanwhile, new forms of extremism and terrorism have expanded the spectrum of non-state threats to our societies. In this elective, we take a closer look at the changing threat landscape. Are the threats indeed increasing, and if so, how can this be explained? Is the nature of the threat changing? How can states respond to these threats? What role can protective security measures play in safeguarding individuals? More generally, what are the state’s obligations towards people and places under threat? This elective will also look into the political, ethical and governance challenges in providing protective security and the role that personal and societal resilience can play in addressing these challenges.
Course Objectives
After finalising this course, students have acquired advanced knowledge and understanding of:
The changing threat landscape facing European states from the perspective of protective security;
The body of knowledge in the emerging field of protective security studies;
The effects of (death) threats on society and democracy;
The political, ethical and governance challenges of providing protective security;
Dealing with risk and resilience in practice.
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 lectured by a team of ISGA-researchers that currently is involved in a research project on protective security. The course consists of 7 seminars. Classes will be dedicated to (guest) lectures, group work, workshops and case studies. Students are required to participate actively in class discussions and workshops.
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 140 hours:
21 Contact hours.
119 Self-study hours: reading, preparing lectures, assignments, etc
Assessment method
Assessment for this course is based on two assignments:
Group assignment
30% of final grade
Grade can be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Resit not possible
Individual Assignment
70% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.5 is required to pass the course
Resit is possible
Resit takes the same form
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 70% assignment.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Please note, registration for block 4 electives will be organised by the OSC in a different way from the regular course registration for semester 2. More information about this will follow in the beginning of semester 2.
Please note: Registration for the resit of an exam (and exam) is mandatory, this has to be done by the student and can be done from Monday 4 May 2026 until 10 days before the exam. Until 5 days before the exam you can email OSC and fill in a form.
Contact
dr. Jelle van Buuren g.m.van.buuren@fgga.leidenuniv.nl