Everyday structural violence
CDSN4002 POLITICAL VIOLENCE
MIRIAM MATEJOVA, PHD
APRIL 29, 2024
Agenda
 Final exam
 How does “the everyday”
produce violence?
Final exam
 a written test
 Four questions
 Short answers
 Concepts, theories, linkages
 Each answer will be worth 10 points for a total of 40
points.
 Required (not recommended) literature and lectures.
Final exam
 Answer the question
 Explain your answer (don’t assume the reader knows what you
are talking about)
 If you make a statement, explain its logic, why you believe the
statement is true
 Define key terms
 Correctly link the authors to their theories/arguments
 Provide accurate examples and explain how the examples fit the
theory
 Answer the question
Exam rubric
 9-10: Extraordinary answers—will include everything in a ‘7-8'
answer but there is something ‘extra’ that really sets it apart
(e.g., making links between themes/weeks/concepts from other
courses, incredible balance/presenting of both sides of
argument evidence of engagement with literature, etc.).
 7-8: Solid answers—key terms defined, question answered in a
clear and structured way with evidence of an analytical
approach of some kind. Links to cases (if relevant) clearly
explained.
Exam rubric (cont.)
 5-6: Answer is mostly descriptive. Key terms are provided and, if
applicable, the case study is evidence of these ideas, but there is no
analysis of any of the types described above OR the analysis really doesn’t
make sense.
 3-4: No real answer to the question and no analysis. The student has
primarily just written down everything they know about the topic. There are
some inaccuracies and/or gaps.
 1-2: No real answer to the question. Many or most terms are incorrectly
defined if used at all. Inaccuracies in theories, authors, concepts, etc.
 0: No answer.
Structure and violence
 What is structure?
 How is structure linked to violence?
Structure
 “social relations and arrangements economic,
political, legal, religious, or
cultural - that shape how individuals
and groups interact within a social
system”
 E.g., caste, patriarchy, colonialism,
neoliberalism
Why is structure violent?
 Avoidable deaths, illness, and injury,
 Reproduces violence by marginalizing people and
communities,
 Constrains people’s capabilities and agency,
 Assaults people’s dignity,
 Perpetuates inequalities.
Why is structural
violence difficult to
understand?
 Distant
 Invisible
 Natural?
Discussion
 How is “the everyday” linked to structure and
violence?
 What can we do “every day” to help reduce
structural violence?