The purpose of the USD Just Read! program is to bring together the USD and San Diego community to read and learn, through a variety of offerings, about a central social justice issue. These offerings provide opportunities to discuss and act both in and outside the classroom. Over the past year, the CEE and its partners have been reimagining the Just Read! program to allow for more faculty, staff, students and community members to get involved. For the 2021-2022 academic year, we will not be selecting only one book, like in previous years. Instead, we will be offering a panel of readings (books, journal articles, etc.) from varying disciplines all centered on one theme. This year we have partnered with the University of San Diego's Urgent Challenges Collective to dive deeper into the social justice theme of addressing homelessness. Check below for the panel of readings, offerings, resources, contests and more!
2021-22 Panel of Readings
Scroll through to see all 5 options. All books and articles are provided for free by the CEE, courtesy of the College of Arts & Sciences (email cee@sandiego.edu to order).
All readings are focused on addressing homelessness and categorized by disciplines.
Events and Offerings
Community Conversations: What's Happening with Homelessness?
Wednesday, 9/8 (12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.) via Zoom; Registration Link
Wednesday, 10/6 (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) via Zoom; Registration Link
Monday, 11/1 (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) via Zoom; Registration Link
Would you like to learn more about the realities of homelessness in San Diego? Join the co-directors of USD’s Urgent Challenges Collective (Homelessness Initiative) for informal learning and conversation. Once a month, we meet to discuss local news and share resources that may be of interest. This event is open to all interested participants (students, faculty, staff, local community members, and more). No prior knowledge about homelessness is required or expected!
Community Reading Circle: Shapeshifters
Starts late September. This community reading circle is being led by the co-directors of USD’s Urgent Challenges Collective (Homelessness Initiative) and is open to all! USD students, staff, faculty members, and local community members are all invited to learn and engage in conversation together. Our featured text for the fall semester is Shapeshifters: Black Girls and the Choreography of Citizenship. All participants in the reading circle will be provided with free access to the text.
Dive Deeper with PATH
Friday, October 22, from 2:30-5:30pm (in person). This event is a special opportunity for USD faculty to learn more about the issue of homelessness, see how USD has collaborated in meaningful ways with a local organization, and consider how this knowledge might be relevant to their teaching, research, and more. We will travel as a group to downtown San Diego and meet with our friends at PATH, exploring the space and seeing the community garden that USD helped implement. Faculty members will also hear from staff members who work in different program areas such as: Whole Person Wellness, the Criminal Justice Program (C3), Interim (the shelter), Outreach, and Housing. Our event will conclude with a chance to share food, conversation, ideas, and resources! *This event is open to all faculty across units at USD.
Homelessness Action Week 2021
November 1-5, 2021 (details TBA). USD's Urgent Challenges Collective will be hosting the third annual USD Homelessness Action Week during the first week of November this year to align with National Homelessness Awareness Month. Events will provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, community members, and others to come together in meaningful ways to take action on this issue. Additional details coming soon!
Would you or your organization, club, or group like to support or contribute to an Action Week event? Email kdeconinck@sandiego.edu to discuss ideas!
Useful Resources
Previous Years
Contact Us
If you are interested in possible programming, course and syllabus integration, or any other collaborative projects please email cee@sandiego.edu. Thank you!