Professor, CEEPP Director Matt Zwolinski Interviews USD Just Read! Book Author

Conor Dougherty, author of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, participated in a virtual discussion with Matt Zwolinski, a professor of philosophy at the University of San Diego and director of USD’s Center for Ethics, Economics and Public Policy, on Sept. 23.

Zwolinski asked Dougherty, a New York Times reporter, questions connected to his book, which was published in February 2020 and selected as the 2020-21 book for USD’s Just Read! program. Zwolinski and Dougherty discussed California’s housing crisis, YIMBY movement (Yes, In My Back Yard), rent control and more.

USD Just Read!, organized by USD’s Center for Educational Excellence, chose Golden Gates to coincide with its social justice theme of the year, addressing homelessness. This event was sponsored by USD's Just Read program, the Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy, and the Urgent Challenges Collective. It was also an event for the Sept. 22-25 Homelessness and Food Insecurity Action Week at USD.

USD Just Read! encourages campus-wide reading participation throughout the year. There are numerous campus (now virtual) events surrounding the book. There are faculty who are using the book in their class syllabus. The Innovate Living Learning Community at USD has a book club that has already met twice this semester about Golden Gates, and will have a third meeting on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. There are also awards associated with the USD Just Read! program’s chosen book as both a Faculty Integration Award and Student Essay/Art Contest exist.

To view the Zwolinski-Dougherty discussion see, below. Their talk, following a short introduction of the two men, begins at the 3:20 mark.