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IR4523   The Aftermath of the Wars: Liberal Dilemmas

Academic year(s): 2025-2026

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: 10.00 am Tue

This module will examine the aftermath of wars since about 1900 and ask what options have been open to policy makers in smoothing the transition to peace. To do so it will look at a series of such policy options in both historical depth and current reality. Most of these policy options start with an 'r': restitution, reparation, reconciliation, reconstruction, retribution etc. This module is organised around those 'r's. Each of these policy options has in itself a 'history' that is here explicitly linked to liberal thinking about war and hence to liberal views about how they should be ended.

Relationship to other modules

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

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 lecture and 1 tutorial.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%


Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr D J Miles
Module teaching staff: Dr David Miles
Module coordinator email djm62@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

  • Explain the tensions between liberalism as a doctrine that believes in the perfectability of peoples and the challenges facing states and their citizens in the aftermath of bitter conflicts.
  • Explain relevant narratives on the aftermath of war in general, and civil wars in particular, and critically assess the policy options open to policymakers in ending them.
  • Critically assess the literature and dominant approaches on the ending and aftermath of wars in both historical depth and contemporary relevance
  • Analyse the ideas of key scholars of liberalism, peace and conflict, and war studies in order to explain the opportunities and challenges surrounding reconstruction after wars.
  • Critically evaluate and synthesise material from a range of theoretical and empirical sources to address liberalism’s capacity to stop wars happening and to stop them re-erupting.
  • Articulate reasoned and factually supported arguments in presentations, class discussion, and assessed work.