Violence Studies

Urban riots, violent responses by police, drug-related assassinations, child abuse, bar fights: Violence is a core theme in today’s modern society. The study of violence is relevant not only because of the impact on primary victims, but also because the resulting ripple effect goes far beyond the initial act, and can create a climate of fear and insecurity. This minor will focus on interpersonal violence (i.e. violence taking place between individuals), the most common types including physical violence and sexual violence. Even though violence stemming from armed conflict receives considerable attention from the international community, interpersonal violence accounts for far more victims than those attributable to, for example, war or terrorism. In this minor programme we study the origins, correlates, mechanisms, social contexts, and resilience after experiencing violence. We delve deeper into the ways in which we can both prevent as well as respond to acts of violence.

Courses

In this minor programme, students will become familiar with the nature and scope of violence; the ways in which it impacts public order, and the ways in which society can respond to and, ultimately, prevent violence. Furthermore, the programme contains courses that address specific forms of violence, ranging from domestic violence (child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence), lethal violence (drug-related homicide and firearm-related homicide), and the impact of violence on individuals, communities, and society at large. Using criminological, sociological, historical, public health, neurobiological and psychological perspectives, this minor programme provides students with an in-depth understanding on this multifaceted phenomenon.

The minor consists of 4 courses of 5 to 10 ECTS each and takes place during the first semester. The semester is divided into two blocks. In every block, you need to follow 2 courses to pass the entire minor.

Victims and offenders, block 1, 10 ects. This course is taught by the Faculty of Governance and Global affairs and follows the course and exam regulations of Security Studies. Location: The Hague.

Resilience to Violence, block 1, 5 ects. This course is taught by the Institute of Education and Child Studies, Faculty of Social Science and follows the course and exam regulations of Child and Education Studies. Location: Leiden

Violence and the brain, block 2, 5 ects. This course is taught by the Institute of Education and Child Studies, Faculty of Social Science and follows the course and exam regulations of Child and Education Studies. Location: Leiden

Collective Violence, block 2, 10 ects. This course is taught by the Faculty of Governance and Global affairs and follows the course and exam regulations of Security Studies. Location: The Hague.

The minor Violence has the following learning objectives:

• to gain insight in the scope and nature of violence;
• to become familiar with the impact of violence ;
• to obtain knowledge on criminal justice and public health responses to violence;
• to learn how to think interdisciplinary in approaching a specific type of violence or violent context;
• to apply theoretical perspectives to understand violent behaviour;
• to apply various methodologies in the study of violence;
• to critically evaluate data sources used in the study of violence.

In this minor, we seek to put research into practice by organizing field trips (including field trips to the police, allowing you to practice your riot-skills) and a conference in which you will present what you’ve learned in class.

This English minor programme seeks to attract students who have a keen interest in violence studies. The target audience consists of a broad range students enrolled and/or interested in security studies; social science fields including pedagogy, criminology, sociology, public administration, anthropology, urban studies and psychology; the medical field and public health, and also welcomes students enrolled in forensics and policing. Any foreknowledge of the issues discussed in the minor is not necessary, but students are expected to have some basic knowledge on social science approaches.