The geographies of language and religion are studied to illustrate processes of cultural diffusion and cultural differences. An important emphasis of the course is the way culture shapes human-environment relationships. For example, religion can influence environmental perception and modification. The differential impact on environment of traditional folk cultures versus popular cultures is studied, as is the significance of environment in relation to social customs and cultural landscapes. Students also come to understand how culture is expressed in landscapes and how landscapes in turn represent cultural identity.
Built environments enable the geographer to interpret cultural values, tastes, and sets of beliefs.
For example, both folk and contemporary architecture are a rich and readily available means of comprehending cultures and changes in landscapes. Students first examine centers where domestication originated and study the processes by which domesticates spread. This diffusion process makes clear why distinct regional patterns of diet, energy use, and agrarian technology emerged. The course next examines Earth's major agricultural production regions. In addition, students learn about land survey systems, environmental conditions, and cultural values that created and sustain the patterns.