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What makes us human? By exploring our past and other cultures, we can better understand humankind and how we relate to one another.

Why study anthropology at CapU?

Learn about our world and who we are as people. Anthropology is the study of humankind, offering views on the human condition from evolutionary and comparative perspectives.

Learning about anthropology at CapU may take you beyond the classroom, including the opportunity for field study or observation exercises. Our courses span these subfields:

  • Archaeology
    Archaeology is the study of humans through the remains of their physical activities, usually through the investigation and classification of sites and artifacts.

  • Biological anthropology
    Also known as physical anthropology, this subfield focuses on human biology, past and present. Interest ranges from human origins and development to contemporary biological diversity.

    Biological anthropologists explore the relationship between human biology and culture. Many study non-human primates in order to better understand the behaviour of our primate ancestors.

  • Social anthropology
    Social (or cultural) anthropology includes fieldwork to observe the relationship between people, culture and society in any part of the world in the recent past and present. This involves living or working with the community you are trying to understand.

  • Applied anthropology
    Applied Anthropology draws upon the knowledge generated by the other three subfields to enable communities to deal with change, housing, healthcare, political and economic issues.

Careers paths and further education

Studying anthropology helps you gain a greater understanding of people from other cultural backgrounds. This broader perspective is useful in many fields of employment including government, health care, social work, environmental studies and education.

A degree in anthropology can open the door to work in teaching, research or museum studies.

Related programs

Anthropology courses can be applied to many CapU programs, including: 

Student opportunities

Gain hands-on experience working in the field.

Experiential learning

Are you interested in taking your lessons outdoors? Archaeology Field School is an opportunity to excavate, find artifacts and apply the skills of a working archaeologist. The course is offered during summer, and excavation sites vary each year (applications for 2019 now closed).  

The Comparative Cultures course is a field study in which students observe in depth a particular geographic area and its people.

Student resources 

Stay on top of news updates and information about CapU’s Anthropology department.

Related news

North Shore News: CapU archaeology instructor Bob Muckle awarded for unearthing forgotten North Vancouver community

Courtneay Hopper
Instructor, Anthropology
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences

604 986 1911 ext. 3554
Fir Building, room FR449
courtneayhopper@capilanou.ca
Gregory Morrissey
Instructor, Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology

604 986 1911 ext. 3507
Fir Building, room FR476
gregmorrissey@capilanou.ca
Joanne Kienholz
Instructor, Anthropology
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences

604 984 4953 ext. 4953
joannekienholz@capilanou.ca
Judy Te Kanawa
DDA 1, School of Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Criminology
Anthropology
Economics
Geography
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Women's & Gender Studies

604 986 1911 ext. 2036
Fir Building, room FR401
jtekanawa@capilanou.ca
Karen Thomas
Instructor
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Anthropology

604 986 1911 ext. 3132
Fir Building, room FR449
krthomas@capilanou.ca
Robert (Bob) Muckle BA, MA
Convenor/Instructor, Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology

604 990 7853 ext. 7853
Fir Building, room FR431
bmuckle@capilanou.ca
Sandra Cooper
Divisional Supervisor
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Applied Behaviour Analysis
Criminology
Economics
Geography
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Women's & Gender Studies
Faculty of Arts and Sciences

604 983 7525 ext. 7525
Fir Building, room FR415
scooper@capilanou.ca
Sarah O'Sullivan BA (hons), MA, PhD
Instructor, Anthropology
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences

604 986 1911 ext. 3723
Fir Building, room FR463
sarahosullivan@capilanou.ca
Sylvia Coleman
Anthropology & Interdisciplinary Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies
School of Social Sciences
Anthropology
Faculty of Arts and Sciences

604 986 1911 ext. 3139
Fir Building, room FR 431
sylviacoleman@capilanou.ca

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About this program

Anthropology Department
604 984 4953
Fir Building, room FR401
socsci@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca