Security Challenges in a Globalizing World (4 ECTS)

In this course, students get acquainted with the underlying social, economic, political and cultural changes of late-modernity that influence perceptions of (in)security and critically discuss the concept of ontological security. This course addresses transformations in society that produce ontological insecurity, like globalisation and hybrid threats. Further, the course will look into the renewed search for ontological security, as manifested in populism, identity politics, re-territorialisation, nationalism and nostalgia.

Security: Actors, Institutions and Constellations (5 ECTS)

The provision of security has increased in complexity over time. The public provision of security is divided amongst several public entities, the pure public provision of security is deemed an illusion, and citizens demand a role in this framework as well. The very concepts of internal and external security become fluid as well, not in the least because of the growing importance of cyber security. Lastly, this multi-actor approach plays in a multilevel setting. In this course, students discuss the different theories on how security can be provided in the most effective way, and what repercussions this has for the organisational structure of security actors.

Behavioural Change Approaches to Cybersecurity (10 ECTS)

In cyber security, end-users are often blamed for data leaks, successful attacks and other incidents. This approach of humans as the ‘weakest link’ suggests that cyber threats can be mitigated by focusing on the behaviour of end-users rather than the way information systems are designed. In this course, we will focus on the research skill of how to collect meaningful data that provides insights in the effectiveness of behavioural cyber security solutions, to prepare students for the labour market. 

Espionage and War in Cyberspace (10 ECTS)

This course traces how the internet has transformed interstate relations and introduced many new actors onto the scene – from transnational corporations to troll farms and tech-savvy activists. The course focuses and reflects on the probability of cyberwar and the world of digital espionage. It looks beyond corporate and statist lenses on international politics to address the impact of cyber conflict and cyber espionage elsewhere, in areas such as human rights and gender politics. 

Security and the Rule of Law (5 ECTS)

Democracies today continue to wrestle with shifting and rapidly evolving threats stemming from conflicts, state coercion, and a variety of security concerns. Differently from other political systems, societies upholding the rule of law require policy and legal responses to respect balances and protect civil, social and human rights. Hence, how can states ensure safety while respecting a democratic legal framework? What kind of powers and responsibilities characterise democratic security governance? The aim of this course is to bring together different theoretical and methodological approaches in order to address these questions. Specifically, the seminars are designed around seven dilemmas related to security and the rule of law addressing both national and international politics.

Elective (5 ECTS)

In Block 4, students are required to pick one elective of 5 ECTS. Find the overview of the electives offered in 2023-2024 here. 

Digital Justice (10 ECTS)

The digitalisation of many aspects of society has a profound impact on governance, on processes, and on decision-making. This course zooms in on the security-related effects of digitalisation on the two larger components of justice: the institutions of justice and the systems they use on the one hand and the content or the substantive aspects of justice on the other hand. 

Digital Crime

The problem of digital crime goes far beyond the crimes committed on the Internet: nowadays, almost all crime can leave digital traces. The Internet creates unique opportunities for criminal activities, and legislators are always chasing a moving target as they try to bring laws up to speed to address new online threats. Despite all the pressure to harmonise legal frameworks to tackle digital crime, efforts to develop international solutions are slow and problematic. Finally, nobody can expect governments and their agencies to fight digital crime alone, but what is the role of private industry and other stakeholders in this fight? 

Portfolio (1 ECTS)

You will acquire substantive knowledge and (research) skills throughout the CSM-programme, especially in the specialisation courses where assignments are tailored towards testing specific research skills: literature review, data collection, analysis of complex situations and phenomena, and critical review of standing research.

In your portfolio, you include assignments produced during the specialisation courses and common courses, showing the (research) skills and competencies acquired.
The portfolio also functions as a showcase for future employers: you can not only show to employers skills obtained, but also the research papers they produced. The portfolio therefore is also part of the labour market preparation in the CSM-programme. 
Additionally, the portfolio has to be accompanied by a reflection paper and problem analysis assignment. In the specialisation courses and common courses you have to produce short interim reflection papers, that serve as the basis for the final reflection paper.
In the final reflection paper, you reflect on your learning pathway in terms of (research skills) and general insight in Crisis and Security Management as developed during the programme. That way, you show your competency of self-directed learning and the ability to critically reflect on their competencies and achievement as a (future) reflective, academically trained security professional.

A defense meeting in which the portfolio, reflection paper and problem analysis assignment will be presented and discussed, is part of this course and function as the formal final step in order to graduate.