Religion, Radicalisation, Resilience

Examine the link between religion, radicalisation, and violence

Radicalisation, extremism, and religion are often used to frame acts of violence around the world, but the way in which these concepts are linked is complex and often misunderstood.

On this three-week course from EUI, you’ll use up-to-date theories to examine how and why people become radicalised. You’ll also explore counter-radicalisation initiatives and prevention.

Investigate religiously-inspired radicalisation and acts of violence in global contexts

There are many multi-faceted driving forces that lead to radicalisation.

Using a range of global case studies, you’ll gain a contextual understanding of religiously attributed acts of violence, learning how religion is linked to, but not the sole trigger of, radicalisation.

Reflect on the drivers of violent radicalisation

The complex dynamics of radicalisation rely on a combination of factors that differ for every individual.

You’ll examine the historical, geopolitical, personal, and psychological factors that contribute to violent extremism, gaining an overview of the main theoretical approaches.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to challenge common stereotypes and reframe your understanding of at-risk groups.

Discuss strategies to prevent violent radicalisation and develop community resilience

Building resilience allows at-risk people to actively respond to the adverse life circumstances that could lead to radicalisation.

You’ll assess resilience approaches and policies and examine the challenges and opportunities provided by new technologies to prevent the spread of extremist propaganda.

By the end of this course you’ll understand the complex nature of violent radicalisation. Using relevant theory, you’ll be able to discuss approaches to prevention, the risks, and triggers faced by marginalised people.

This course is for social workers, civil society actors and practitioners, educators, journalists and interested citizens.

This course is part of the research project GREASE: Radicalisation Secularism and the Governance of Religious Diversity: Bringing together European and Asian Perspectives funded by the European Commission, Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 770640. The content of this MOOC represents only the views of the GREASE consortium and is its sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

• What is violent radicalisation?
• Introducing the course: Religion, Radicalisation, Resilience
• Examples from outside Europe
• Violent radicalisation in Europe
• Why do people radicalise?
• Drivers and dynamics of violent radicalisation
• Drivers of violent radicalisation: an overview of different approaches
• When violence meets radicalisation
• Violent radicalisation in historical perspective
• Bringing the cases together to assess lessons learnt
• Addressing violent radicalisation through resilience
• The conceptual framework of resilience to radicalisation
• The role of the media
• Counter-radicalisation theories
• Policy responses and prevention tools
• Wrapping up the course