Whitworth University has recently added Politics & Ethics of Public Lands, a new faculty-led study trip, to its roster of classes for 2027. The program will be led by Political Science Assistant professor Matt Rains and Philosophy professor Rebecca Korf, both of whom have a deep passion for public lands and the history surrounding them.
“We both bring some interest, different levels of experience, and I think it makes for a really exciting program,” said Korf, “We’ll be camping the whole time, cooking together, eating together, adventuring, but also really digging into the contemporary issues facing the park, along with the history of these areas.”
The program is a three-credit course that focuses on the subjects of political science, environmental science and philosophy as they pertain to public lands. It has no prerequisites and is open to all majors.
“It is meant to be a perfect fusion of both building an appreciation for our public lands and what they represent, building an understanding of some of the central issues, like transporting people in and out, and engagement with wildlife in the parks, as well as just a place to really develop a sort of connection to the spaces which are among the most beautiful in the country,” said Rains.
Taking place over three weeks in May, the program will take students to six national parks across three states: Zion and Arches in Utah, Yosemite and Kings Canyon in California, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming.
“We’ll get to do some hiking, but also meet with people who are working in leadership in the parks. We’re hoping to meet with some indigenous leaders and other folks working in conservation as well,” said Korf, “Academically, I just want students to understand just the diversity and the complexity of our public lands and how important it is that we think about them really carefully and contextually… but on the more personal side, I do hope that students will get out of their comfort zone, that they will grow in ways that they are proud of.”
“It’s not like a typical study away,” said Rains, “There’s no hotel or dormitory that people return to do their own thing, you are in community with multiple of your other Whitworth classmates in a way that forces you to build that connected element. And I just think of some of the friendships that have been made in similar programs when they’ve happened in the past. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build all of that up.”
Despite being so new, the program already has multiple students interested in it.
“What interested me in the trip was that this is such an amazing opportunity to be able to explore such a beautiful area of the country,” said senior Ingrid Burchill, “Not only am I looking forward to seeing amazing landscapes, hiking, and appreciating wilderness in new ways, … learning about how this land can remain protected and the policies that our government has fought for to keep this beauty untouched.”
Jordyn Bennett, who will serve as a TA for the trip, said, “I like that this trip gives an opportunity to think about the way policy exists to protect or threaten their existence … it gives a chance to consider things like public space, access to nature, and wellness and recreation within our country. In addition, it will be an opportunity to slow down in nature among other interested students.”
Students who are interested in the program or have questions about it are encouraged to reach out to Korf and Rains.
“I just hope that people know that this is available,” said Korf, “Whitworth is the kind of place where we get to take students out on the road and really explore these complicated issues. I think that’s a wonderful thing that we can offer.”
