Admission requirements
This course is part of the minor Violence Studies. This is an interdisciplinary minor, and as such it is suitable for students from a variety of social science disciplines, including security studies, law, criminology, psychology, child studies, and related subjects.
If you would like to take part in the minor, but if you are unsure whether it suits your background, please contact the minor coordinator.
Description
This course builds on Introduction to Violence Studies and explores the nexus between violence and gender through interdisciplinary perspectives, incorporating criminological, legal, sociological, psychological, and public health frameworks.
Students will engage with and critically analyse fundamental terminology and theoretical frameworks, the complex factors that perpetuate gendered violence – including societal, cultural, and individual dynamics – the roles of key actors, and the impact of policies and interventions.
Using case studies, scholarly research, podcasts, and videos, students will examine both historical and contemporary contexts of violence against women and male-male violence. Moreover, they will explore the effectiveness of different legal systems, social support networks, and public health interventions.
The course emphasises global and intersectional perspectives, exploring how race, class, identity, and cultural norms shape experiences of violence and responses to it. Through interactive teaching, students will develop a nuanced understanding of this critical social issue and engage with strategies for prevention, advocacy, and justice.
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students are able to:
Critically explore conceptualisations of gender and violence by engaging with key debates, theories, and frameworks that shape experiences with violence in different contexts
Develop knowledge of the literature on violence and gender and apply foundational disciplinary lenses – including criminological, legal, sociological, psychological, and public health perspectives
Examine the specificities of violence against women and male-on-male violence, understanding their social, cultural, and structural determinants
Analyse institutional interventions and policies addressing gender-based violence, evaluating their effectiveness and limitations in different legal and socio-political contexts
Timetable
The timetable for this course can be found on MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
7 lectures of 2 hours by instructors and guest lecturers in English.
Scientific papers form the basis of the study material but the material from the lectures is also part of the exam literature, so attendance is highly recommended.
The total study load for this course is 140 hours, consisting of:
21 hours for attending lectures
119 hours studying
Assessment method
Mid-term assignment
20% of final grade
Grade can be compensated (through the final exam at the end of the course)
Resit is not possible
Exam
80% of final grade
Grade cannot be compensated, a 5.5 is required to pass the course.
Resit is possible
Resit will take the same form
More information on the assignments will become available on Brightspace during the course, and will be discussed in class.
The Course and Examination Regulation Security Studies and the Rules and Regulation of the Board of Examiners of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs apply.
Reading list
The study material will be listed on Brightspace. The corresponding Brightspace course will become available one week prior to the first lecture.
Registration
Registration via MyStudymap or uSis is possible from TBA after registration for the entire minor. Register for every course via MyStudymap or uSis. Some courses of the minor have a limited number of participants, so register on time.
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.
Please note: guest-/contract-/exchange students do not register via MyStudymap but via uSis.
Contact
Before, during and after each lecture, the instructors will be available to answer theoretical and practical questions about the course. All other questions about the course can be emailed to the minor coordinator.
Dr. Martín Hernán Di Marco & dr. Mischa Dekker violence@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
This course is the responsibility of the Board of Examiners of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA).
Remarks
This course takes place in The Hague.
Please be aware that resits will take place in January 2026.
All sessions and examinations will be in English.