University of St Andrews - Scotland's first university, founded 1413

Module Catalogue

For information on which modules are specific to your programme, please see : Programme requirements index 2025-2026.

Curricular information may be subject to change.

IR3209 State Terror - From the Middle Ages to the Present

Academic year(s): 2025-2026

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Wed, Thur

This seminar offers a comprehensive exploration of state terror's evolution, motivations, and tactics across centuries and continents. Through classroom discussions and presentations, students will examine case studies from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. The seminar aims to provide insights into why leaders resort to this extreme form of political violence, the methods they employ, and the resulting impacts. By studying various instances of state terror, spanning from the Middle Ages but with a focus on the latter half of the 20th century, students will discern recurring patterns and distinctive characteristics across case studies. This enables them to develop an analytical understanding that will allow them to assess contemporary and future occurrences of this phenomenon. The module culminates in a simulation of a UN Committee meeting, where students assume the roles of special UN investigators tasked with examining alleged current cases of state terror.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass IR2006

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2 hours of seminar (X11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 286

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework - 100%

Re-assessment: Written examination - 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr B Blumenau
Module teaching staff: Dr Bernhard Blumenau
Module coordinator email bb57@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

Understand the historical development of the concept of state terror and its changing characteristics over time
Differentiate between state terror and other forms of political violence
Critically examine case studies to discern motivations, mechanisms, and effects
Discuss whether and how methods of state terror have been successful in achieving their respective objectives
Evaluate the lasting impact of state terror on societies.
Critically examine current instances of state terror