Prospectus

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Introducing Crisis and Security Management

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.

Description

Security ranks high in both the public conscience and political and administrative policies. Acts of terrorism have frightened the public, the fear for crime is high and man or nature made disasters make their way into the headlines. In this course students will get acquainted with shifts in definitions, concepts and meaning of crisis & security, the main theoretical and empirical insights in security and the function of security as a governing technique. Further, attention is called for shifts in the management or governance of crisis & security. Security nowadays is no longer the prerogative of the state, but is also provided by private actors, citizens, civil society and international security actors. Empirical studies into actual security issues will be presented to familiarize students with methodological challenges in studying the governance of crisis & security. A simulation game and/or final seminar will be organized to this end.
The course also serves as an essential footing that explores the broad field of crisis and security governance that is studied in depth in other CSM courses. It also functions as the theoretical and conceptual foundation for two successive courses: Research Design, in which students are provided with an understanding of the basic principles of research design in the social sciences, and public administration in particular; and the Master Thesis, in which students will combine the previously gained insights in the conceptual and theoretical dimensions of crisis and security governance and the methodological insights introduced during the course Research Design in their own thesis project.

Course objectives

The main goals of the course are:

  • To provide students with conceptual and theoretical insights in crisis and security issues

  • To provide students with conceptual and theoretical notions concerning the governance of crisis and security

  • To present and critique various empirical approaches in studying crisis and security governance

  • To prepare students for the consecutive course on Research Design

  • To prepare students for the writing of their master thesis

Timetable

Block I for the September intake and Block III for the February intake

The (provisional) timetable is on the first page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

The sessions are dedicated to lectures and discussion, and include a simulation game and/or final seminar

Assessment method

  • Exam and contribution to simulation game and/or final seminar

Students will be evaluated as follows:

  • Quality of preparation, participation and evaluation of the simulation game and/or final seminar equal 40% of total grade.

  • The rolling and final written exam equal 60% of total grade.
    Course material is also obligatory for the game and exam as far as it is set out in sheets, handouts and other information media.

Literature

To be announced

Blackboard

Instructor uses Blackboard.

Registration

Via USIS

Contact information

Prof. Dr. Edwn Bakker: e.bakker@cdh.leidenuniv.nl
Drs. Jelle van Buuren: g.m.van.buuren@cdh.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

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