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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice 

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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
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Coursera 
Overview

Duration

22 hours

Total fee

Free

Mode of learning

Online

Difficulty level

Beginner

Official Website

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Credential

Certificate

Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
 at 
Coursera 
Highlights

  • Shareable Certificate Earn a Certificate upon completion
  • 100% online Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
  • Flexible deadlines Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
  • Beginner Level
  • Approx. 22 hours to complete
  • English Subtitles: Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish
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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
 at 
Coursera 
Course details

Skills you will learn
More about this course
  • Terrorism has arguably been one of the defining factors of our age. It frequently makes headlines, threatening or attacking governments, private business and ordinary citizens. And in many parts of the world, it has been one of the most important threats to peace, security and stability. But what does this exactly mean? What is the nature of this threat? Who or what is threatened, how, by whom and why? What can be done about it or how can we at least limit the impact of terrorism and make sure that terrorists do not make headlines and manage to scare us?
  • These are just a handful of questions that will be addressed in this course that consists of three parts. First it focuses on the essence of terrorism as an instrument to achieve certain goals, in addition to an exploration of this phenomenon and the difficulties in defining it.
  • The second part provides an overview of the state of the art in (counter) terrorism studies. Since ?9/11? terrorism studies have grown exponentially, reflecting the rise in perceived threats. But what has academia come up with? What theories, assumptions and conventional wisdom has it produced that could be of help in understanding terrorism and dealing with it? The most interesting results are examined and compared with empirical evidence with the aim to either stress their importance or to debunk them as myths.
  • The final part looks into the implications and possibilities for policy making. The course ends with a module specifically designed to address one of today's most topical issue: the foreign fighter phenomenon.
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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
 at 
Coursera 
Curriculum

Welcome & the essence of terrorism

Welcome to the Course!

1.1 Introduction

1.2 History of Terrorism

1.3 Use of the Word Terrorism

1.4 Why There Are No Generally Accepted Definitions

1.5 Need For a Definition: Some Attempts

1.6 Essence of Terrorism

Interview with Prof. Alex Schmid about Defining Terrorism

Meet the team & Leiden University

Complete our short survey

Course Overview

Course Format

What do we expect from you

Don't forget to check out the extra material!

Readings

Definition and Essence of Terrorism

Researching Terrorism and Counterterrorism

2.1 History of Terrorism Studies

2.2 Disciplines & Approaches

2.3 Key Authors & Centres

2.4 Challenges & Dilemmas

2.5 Current State of the Art

Interview with Akinola Olojo about the Lack of Non-Western Researchers in Terrorism Studies

Readings

Key Authors

Researching Terrorism and Counterterrorism

5 Assumptions on Terrorism

3.1 Assumption: Terrorism is caused by poverty

3.2 Assumption: Terrorists are crazy

3.3 Assumption: Terrorism is increasingly lethal

3.4 Assumption: Terrorism is predominantly anti-western

3.5 Assumption: Terrorism is successful

Readings

5 Assumptions on Terrorism

5 Assumptions on Counterterrorism

4.1 Assumption: One can recognise a terrorist

4.2 Assumption: Deradicalisation is possible

4.3 Assumption: Decapitation of terrorist organisations works

4.4 Assumption: Terrorism cannot be defeated

4.5 Assumption: Terrorism can best be managed by a holistic approach

Interview with Dr. Jamie Shea (NATO)

Video presentation of Quirine Eijkman of Amnesty International on Drone Strikes in Pakistan

Readings

5 Assumptions on Counterterrorism

Dealing with Terrorism and the Future

5.1 Past Weeks & This Week

5.2 Underresearched Topics

5.3 Fear and Resilience

5.4 Fear and Impact Management

5.5 Future of Terrorism

Phil Gurski - Intelligence Analysis

Readings

Dealing with Terrorism and Future of Terrorism

Making Headlines Today - Foreign Fighters

6.1 Why is it Making Headlines?

6.2 Foreign Fighters in Syria: Who are They and Why do They Go?

6.3 Fighting Groups in Syria and Iraq

6.4 Foreign Fighters: A Threat?

6.5 Policy Options

Interview Phil Gurski - Western Foreign Fighters

Readings

Want to learn more?

Complete our short survey

Foreign Fighters

Final Exam

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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
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Students Ratings & Reviews

5/5
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Jitansh Nagpal
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
Offered by Coursera
5
Other: This course is simply great. I am an expert in security studies, but I admit that I have learned a lot. This course has helped to update my knowledge in my major: International Security. The lecturer is actually a professional who explains things, concepts, and phenomena with accuracy. The skills I have acquired with this course will undoubtedly help me in my career as a security expert as I shall soon start my new position as an intelligence analyst with the police.
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2020Read More
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Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
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