Toegangseisen
Admitted to HC Law.
Beschrijving
In this course, the phenomenon of terrorism will be discussed in detail: what are we actually talking about when we call something 'terrorism' or 'terror'? And what do we know about the approach to this phenomenon?
The course has an interdisciplinary approach, which means that we will not only view the phenomenon of terrorism – a complex problem – from a legal perspective. We will look at the development of terrorism and counterterrorism from a socio-criminological-legal perspective and unpack the consequences of common counterterrorist measures adopted post 9/11 on criminal law as well as on communities subjected to these changes. Extensive attention will also be paid to the role of politicization – and thus the political and social charge of the phenomenon of terrorism and counterterrorism.
By means of weekly interactive seminars, we will delve into a different aspect every week, whether or not together with (international) guest lecturers. Whilst distinct countries will be used as illustrative case studies (e.g., France, the Netherlands, Canada), the geographical focus will remain on the Global North, but the concepts/theories explored are also relevant in other geographical contexts. Specific attention will be devoted to the current situation in the Netherlands with regards to radicalization and violent extremism, to new forms of what can potentially be described as ‘extreme’ behavior as well as phenomena which are deemed to precede radicalization (e.g., increased polarization of opinion in the online world) and the legal responses accompanying these developments.
At the end of the course, the aim is for the students to have developed a critical perspective about (counter)terrorism. Moreover, students will be able to substantiate this critical output with evidence-based arguments that they will be able to share to distinct types of audiences.
Leerdoelen
After the course:
Students have a good understanding of the issues surrounding the definition of terrorism and violent extremism. More specifically, they are aware that these terms are socially and politically loaded and are able to substantiate this;
Students can give different examples of terrorism and argue why these behaviors – from a legal perspective – can be labeled as such;
Students are familiar with and can explain various criminological and socio-legal theoretical concepts and frameworks covered during the course to make sense of the complex phenomenon of terrorism and the measures in place to fight it;
Students can provide illustrations of different ways in which terrorism and violent extremism are combated nationally and internationally, and what challenges are encountered in combating this in practice;
Students can critically reflect on the social implications of combating terrorism and violent extremism;
Students can take a position on one of the topics discussed regarding terrorism and counterterrorism, and know how to substantiate and defend this scientifically, using insights from various disciplines;
Students are able to develop these (critical) reflections in an evidence/research-based manner and can share them to diverse audiences.
Onderwijsvormen
Attendance and participation in this course is, of course, mandatory. As with all courses of HC Law. This, partly due to the character and structure of HC law and its courses, which therefore also have the status of practical exercises.
For a missed session, students will have to submit a mindmap to Dr. de Massol de Rebetz connecting the main concepts of the mandatory readings in a logical manner. More information on “concept mapping or mindmap” as an educational tool and helpful resources on how to do one will be provided on Brightspace.
Periode
Block 1, on Wednesday – Room C0. 14 KOG.
All the lecture/interactive seminars are from 5:15 to 8:00 pm.
OVERVIEW OF THE SEMINARS:
*The mandatory reading material will be shared in due time via Brightspace.
Expectations reading load: maximum 3 articles (peer-reviewed) articles per seminar (with the possibility to add a potential additional resource in the form of a podcast/video).
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Introduction lecture on the contested and complex crime of terrorism in a “Risk Society”.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Pre-emption, state of emergency and enemy penology: Socio-legal perspectives on French counterterrorism.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Causes of terrorism and violent extremism: Insights from (critical) criminology.
- Reflections on positionality, challenges of doing research with the Canadian counterterrorist police from an insider/outsider position.
Online Guest Lecture – Meriem Rebanni.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
(Increased?) polarization of opinion, social media, and radicalization – Challenges for the EU lawmaker.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Counterterrorism in the Netherlands: Socio-legal reflections on the new Dutch counterterrorism report.
Guest Lecture - Prof. dr. mr. Maartje van der Woude.
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Group presentations on (historical) terrorism case studies (see assignment).
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Looking into the future: New forms of extremism (in the Netherlands and elsewhere)
Guest Lecture – Anne Jonker.
Toetsing
The assessment for this course will take place in the form of a portfolio (pass/fail) with three distinct components. Each component (assessed with pass/fail) need to receive an overall PASS. One of the rationale behind the pass/fail format is to allow students to receive in-between feedback (see below) and adjust their work throughout the course on the basis of constructive comments. Therefore, student’s attitudes and reactions towards constructive feedback (and overall improvement) will be taken into careful consideration when doing the final pass/fail assessment.
I. Weekly critical short questions/reflections based on the literature - Brightspace
Every week, students will need to post 2 (critical) reflections/questions based on the weekly reading on Brightspace. These reflections/questions should be under 5 sentences. During class, we will vote as a group for one/two (maximum) insightful reflections/questions that trigger the most reactions. We will submit them as prompts to ChatGPT and will debate, nuance, and substantiate the AI answer in an evidence-based manner as a group in connection with the mandatory readings.
II. Terrorism case study – group presentation
In groups, students will analyze in an evidence-based manner a historical terrorism case by presenting different perspectives (sociological/criminological/legal) on the event. You are required to pick a case and present it by looking at 4 distinct aspects:
Description of the event including an analysis of the perpetrator’s motivation using one of the radicalization theories discussed in class;
The (potential) impact of the event on the social fabric AND/OR the representation of the event (see interventions, media, social media etc.);
The legal outcome*
*You should therefore take an event that triggered a legal response (which is often the case as legislation often follow an action/reaction dynamic).
Students must make use of scientific literature (at least 3 peer-reviewed articles which are not part of the mandatory reading material) supplemented by gray literature and media article(s). Presentations must be X min total (will be determined with the number of students in the class) and divide the time equally per student. The presentation should be aimed at a group of lay people popularization of knowledge is key; you can make it “fun” in the format. Try to refrain from using power point.
*In-between feedback
On Monday 24 September, each group should submit via email a plan of their presentation (in an A4) together with a short note one the format of choice as well as bibliography. The description of the case should be clear together with a short note for each of the 3 components described above. Written feedback will be given by Monday 30 September the latest leaving more than one week to the students to adjust their presentations.
*Students will also have the possibility to discuss their choice of topic from an early stage during breaks.
III. Individual essay – Discourse Analysis (+ Coding)
Identify a recent threat qualified/labelled by politicians (they do not have to be in government) as “terroristic” OR “extreme” in nature. The discourse doesn’t have to be a written one, students can analyze a video for instance and add codes for body languages.
Single out the discourse provided surrounding the threat.
Code it (manually) with the help of analytical code developed from the mandatory readings (and other peer-reviewed articles) and the lectures as well as with deductive codes.
Provide a critical analysis on the discourse, with regards to:
o The ways in which the threat is presented (with a reflection on the terroristic/extreme nature of the threat);
AND one of the two following elements (choice):
Potential side-effects of the proposed (legal) solutions (e.g., societal/effectiveness)
Impact on criminal law and/or human rights of the suggested solution
The individual essay should be maximum 1000 words (excluding bibliography & in-text references). This is an evidence-based assignment, students should draw from at least 3 peer-reviewed articles (besides making use of at least 1 mandatory reading).
APA rules of citation apply (the APA rules of citation will be shared on Brightspace).
*Appropriate resources and explanations will be provided to students on the coding process during the course (some in person and via Brightspace). This is also an introduction to coding, the assignment is short on purpose as this is designed as a manner to develop and apply a critical lens.
In between feedback:
On Friday 20 September, students should submit via a link on Brightspace an A4 with their choice of discourse, at least 4 codes (with a short explanation) that they plan on using (knowing that many other codes will also emerge from the coding process) as well as a reflection on the two components that they need to tackle with a corresponding bibliography. They will receive feedback on their work by the end of the month which leaves them 16 days to refine their work (final deadline – Wednesday 16 October at midnight).
Brightspace
Bij dit vak wordt gebruik gemaakt van Brightspace.
Literatuur
The list of literature can be found in the syllabus, which will be available on Brightspace.
Aanmelden
Via the administration of Honours College Law: honours@law.leidenuniv.nl in the manner indicated in the Cohort Brightspace page.
Minimum en maximum aantal deelnemers
14-24
Contact
In case of absence, or when you have (other) organizational questions, please contact Honours College Law via honours@law.leidenuniv.nl.
Coordinator: Dr. Roxane de Massol de Rebetz, LL.M, MSc. – only for substantive matters
Work address: KOG
Contact information: by appointment via email
E-mail: r.m.f.de.massol.de.rebetz@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institute: Van Vollenhoven Institute
Department: Law School