Geography is the study of location, place, and environment. The Culture, Regions, and International Development option focuses on the spatial organization of people, their activities, and their resources in relation to social, cultural, political, and economic phenomena. Students examine issues associated with demographic patterns, distribution of wealth, conflicts over territory, human impacts on the environment, and the process of globalization. The Geospatial and Environmental Analysis option addresses the study of natural systems (such as climate and landscapes), the complex interaction between humans and their environment, and preparation and interpretation of maps and images of Earth using Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing.

Majors learn qualitative and computer-based skills that are in high demand in the workplace. A key goal of the major is to enhance students’ abilities to analyze and interpret contemporary local, regional, and global issues.