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Universiteit Leiden

Risk in Modern Society

Risk has become one of the defining features of modern society. Almost daily, we are preoccupied with assessing, discussing, or preventing a wide variety of risks. It is a cornerstone notion for businesses and organizations, but also for nation states and their many levels of government. And even for individuals, risk and the avoidance or embracing thereof, is a key theme. The course Risk in Modern Society sheds light on the broad concept of risk. In five distinctive weeks, this course closely examines various types of safety and security risks, and how these are perceived and dealt with in a wide array of professional and academic fields, ranging from criminology, counter-terrorism and cyber security, to philosophy, safety and medical science. Developed in collaboration with scholars from three universities (Leiden, Delft and Erasmus), this course will search for answers to questions such as: “what is risk?”, “how do we study and deal with risk?”, “does ‘perceived risk’ correspond to 'real' risk?”, and “how should we deal with societal perceptions of risk, safety and security?

Status: Cyber Security Strategy
Status: Decision Making
BeginnerCourse11 hours

Featured reviews

AH

5.0Reviewed Jul 26, 2020

Lost of very good information on each category. The examples were very good to explain concepts and the instructors were each to understand. Overall, good summary/ brief course to risk

RC

5.0Reviewed Jul 9, 2023

Excellent course, well-targeted content for those who are not yet familiar with the subject

DV

4.0Reviewed Mar 29, 2019

I got a good understanding of the difference between safety and security. However, the course could be a little bit longer and in some parts more deeper.

KF

5.0Reviewed Oct 6, 2019

I really enjoyed this course. Very informative. I also like the fact that you actually have to put work into it in order to pass.

AK

5.0Reviewed May 15, 2018

Very good and relavent course. Thanks to the instructors and the university and Coursera for putting this course. I am sure this course will be updated every time the new risks show on horizon.

OO

5.0Reviewed Jun 28, 2023

very educative on risk safety and security.i am more equipped to handle risks in their right perspectives rather over amplifying them .

JB

5.0Reviewed Dec 30, 2020

This course was very informative. It went in a direction I totally did not expect. Really gave me a lot to envision and think about, and have some kind of insight into.

CM

4.0Reviewed Apr 8, 2022

T​he presentation makes it easy to understand and remember the key teaching points.

FT

5.0Reviewed Nov 13, 2025

This course increased my knowledge of risks in modern society. Thank you very much.

MR

5.0Reviewed Sep 16, 2019

Great introductory course - well presented, short and full of information. Thanks

SD

4.0Reviewed Sep 24, 2022

T​his course provides a good introduction to risks and the principles of risk management.

MC

5.0Reviewed Apr 11, 2022

The course is highly recommended. The topics discussed are well presented and clear. Kudos to all the professors!

All reviews

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