58勛圖

PP5021 Empirical Analysis of Conflict and Terrorism

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Limited to students studying the Master of Public Policy.

Planned timetable

Thurs 2-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof D A Jaeger

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof David Jaeger

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to empirical methods for analysing armed conflict and terrorism, with a focus on applied policy evaluation. Students use modern causal inference techniques to study the economic, political and institutional drivers of violence, including income shocks, state capacity, political institutions, and strategic behaviour by armed groups. The module emphasises real-world conflict datasets and micro-level evidence to assess the effectiveness of policy interventions such as counterterrorism, policing, development aid and peacekeeping. It prepares students to engage with complex security policy problems using rigorous empirical tools.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PP5001 AND PASS PP5002

Assessment pattern

Coursework= 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework= 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hour weekly seminar (x10)

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate critical understanding of key theories and concepts in the empirical study of armed conflict and terrorism, including strategic interaction, civilian support, and state capacity.
  • Apply modern causal inference methods to conflict-related data in order to identify and evaluate the economic, political and institutional drivers of violence.
  • Critically assess the quality, limitations and ethical implications of conflict datasets and empirical research designs, including issues of measurement error, bias and external validity.
  • Translate empirical findings into coherent and policy-relevant recommendations, including consideration of cost-benefit trade-offs, unintended consequences and ethical constraints.