University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Mon 4-5pm (except weeks 9 and 10, 4-6pm), Tues, 1.30-3.00pm

Motives, Enablers and Implications for State Responses: This module examines how combatants in terrorist groups are able to overcome inhibitions to killing. The nature of these inhibitions is examined, as is the range of circumstances which enables them to be overcome so that lethal violence can be justified, compelling and a source of satisfaction. The module draws not only on terrorism studies but also on scholarship from a wide range of subject areas including war studies, psychology, sociology, theology, anthropology, history and art. The focus is more on individuals' aims, aspirations, and ways of imagining themselves and their actions, rather than organisational and instrumental purposes. Theory will be explored through case studies. Resulting insights are used to adduce principles for state responses to political violence. The module thus builds on the tradition of scholarship at St Andrews that examines how political violence may be effectively countered in ways that are consonant with liberal democracy.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must take IR5901 and take IR5902

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1-hour lecture, 1.5-hour tutorial per week + advertised office hours.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

Personnel