Admission requirements
- Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
Counter-terrorism seemed like a pretty straightforward affair during the years of the so-called ‘Islamic State’. In the past few years however, what constitutes terrorism has become a question that is much more difficult to answer. With the rise of right-and leftwing extremism and anti-institutionalism it is essential to know the difference between activism and extremism but also the grey area between activism, nonviolent and violent extremism. That forms the basis of countering (violent) extremism.
This course will introduce students interested in extremism, radicalization, terrorism and resilience to the concept of violent extremism and policies designed to counter it. It will explore the concept of CVE as it has emerged in the policy discourse and the promise of CVE as a more comprehensive and proactive approach to the complex phenomenon of violent extremism. The interdisciplinary course will take an in-depth look at CVE as a relatively new area of policy and practice both at a national and international level, and focus on strategic initiatives to counter terrorism.
Course objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
Understand the concept of violent extremism and its relation to activism, terrorism and the process of radicalization
Obtain advanced knowledge and understanding of the multidisciplinary field of CVE and terrorism studies and its relation to the social sciences, history, political sciences, and public administration.
Analyse the causes of terrorist and extremist ideologies
Critically assess approaches to countering (violent) extremism
Analyse and assess real-world cases of preventing and countering violent extremism in relation to the broader debates in terrorism studies
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 consists of 7 seminars. Classes will be dedicated to (guest) lectures and group discussion. Students are required to participate actively in class discussion.
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 presentation
25% of final grade
Grade can be compensated in case of a fail (grade < 5.50)
Resit not possible.
Individual exam
75% or 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 75% exam.
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 2023-2024 are no longer valid during academic year 2024-2025.
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 t.b.a..
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
Liesbeth van der Heide e.j.van.der.heide@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
070-8009517
Office hours by appointment