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Bill Braniff

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New Approaches to Countering Terror: Countering Violent Extremism

University of Maryland, College Park

About this Course

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The “New Approaches to Countering Terror: Countering Violent Extremism” course offered by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), is a multi-week interactive course designed to help students explore both pragmatic and philosophical challenges that continue to shape the evolution of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), a global security paradigm. START, a Department of Homeland Security Emeritus Center of Excellence and research, training, and education center housed at the University of Maryland within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS), serves as a leading voice in the national and international dialogue regarding CVE. START’s Director and the course instructor, Bill Braniff, will introduce the concept of CVE and explore the promise of CVE as a more comprehensive and proactive approach to the complex phenomenon of violent extremism.
This 3.5 hour course will take an in-depth look at CVE as a relatively new area of policy and practice. As such, this MOOC can serve as an awareness-raising course, targeting anyone interested in terrorism, community resilience, security, policy and/or civil rights issues. The course is broadly interdisciplinary and has no prerequisites. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Differentiate between two ways of addressing violent extremism: counterterrorism (CT) and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE);
2. Explain the CVE spectrum of non-violent approaches to countering terror, including prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation/reintegration programs;
3. Make sound analytical judgments about CVE programs and their potential.

START also offers a range of other online educational programs, including:

1. Summer/Winter Courses: https://www.start.umd.edu/education/summerwinter-courses
2. Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Security and Terrorism Studies: https://www.start.umd.edu/education/master-professional-studies-online
3. Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis: https://www.start.umd.edu/education/graduate-certificate-online

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

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Beginner Level

There is no specific student background needed or prerequisites required for enrollment in this course.

Approx. 4 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

There is no specific student background needed or prerequisites required for enrollment in this course.

Approx. 4 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.77/5 (60 Ratings)

Bill Braniff

Executive Director

National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism

17,124 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Maryland, College Park

The University of Maryland is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.8 billion operating budget, secures $500 million annually in external research funding and recently completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

14 minutes to complete

Introduction

14 minutes to complete

1 video (Total 4 min), 1 reading

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

MODULE 1

Module One will introduce you to the field of CVE. This module will provide you with the basic terminology, foundational academic research, and policy initiatives on CVE. Then, you will hear about academic theories and models addressing why and how individuals radicalize to violence, and researchers will present data examining profiles of individuals who have radicalized to violence, as well as a promising study on how individuals may disengage or deradicalize from violence.

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 41 min)

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

MODULE 2

Module Two describes the spectrum of CVE activities which include engagement, prevention, intervention, rehabilitation/reintegration and counter-messaging efforts. This module covers some of the controversies surrounding CVE programs, specifically allegations that CVE may stigmatize or marginalize Muslim communities. Module Two also introduces some of the ways that community members and non-law enforcement professionals such as mental health practitioners can engage on CVE.

1 hour to complete

9 videos (Total 53 min)

9 videos

Introduction3m

Lesson 1: The Promise and Challenges of CVE5m

Lesson 2: The Spectrum of Efforts6m

Lesson 3: CVE Taxonomy5m

Lesson 4: What Makes Community Members Willing to Engage with Law Enforcement5m

Lesson 5: The Role of Mental Health Professionals6m

Lesson 6: The Role of Former Violent Extremists in CVE5m

Lesson 7: The Role of Communities and Bystanders9m

Lesson 8: Overcoming Resistance to CVE6m

1 practice exercise

Module 2 Quiz10m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

MODULE 3

Finally, Module Three is made up of nine teaching cases exploring how different CVE programs are implemented in the United States, in countries around the world, and online. Each case is introduced by a researcher or practitioner, who will highlight the opportunities and challenges of “doing CVE” in the field. Some of these cases address early prevention activities while other cases examine how deradicalization and rehabilitation programs may be implemented after a crime has occurred.

1 hour to complete

10 videos (Total 57 min)

10 videos

Introduction4m

Lesson 1: DOVE Model7m

Lesson 2: CVE Programs Around the World- The Muslim Public Council's Safe Spaces5m

Lesson 3: CVE Programs Around the World- Exit USA5m

Lesson 4: CVE Programs Around the World- Peer To Peer10m

Lesson 5: CVE Programs Around the World- Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership in Mali2m

Lesson 6: CVE Programs Around the World- Singapore's Religious Rehabilitation Group4m

Lesson 7: CVE Programs Around the World- Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of FARC5m

Lesson 8: CVE Programs Around the World- Deradicalization of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam7m

Lesson 9: CVE Programs Around the World- Saudi Arabia's Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare Program4m

1 practice exercise

Module 3 Quiz10m

Reviews

4.7

47 reviews

5 stars
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TOP REVIEWS FROM NEW APPROACHES TO COUNTERING TERROR: COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

by ADApr 26, 2022

I really loved this course and Dr. Braniff was an excellent educator in this area.

by TCOct 20, 2021

Great information and very useful to my current position.

by ARNov 1, 2020

Learned a lot in this course on how communities can have a huge role in countering violent extremism. Also learned what stereotypes to avoid, and how to help my community.

by CMNov 2, 2020

It was an eye opener and has really positively impacted on my skills as a safety and security Governance professional

View all reviews

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New Approaches to Countering Terror: Countering Violent Extremism

New Approaches to Countering Terror: Countering Violent Extremism

About this Course