High Country Humanities is a collaboration between the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University and community partners in Watauga County. We aim to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the humanities in the local community, both within and outside the campus.
Upcoming Events
8 – 9:15 p.m.
Due to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, we are postponing the Brian Harnetty residency in the hopes of rescheduling for a time where more people will have the opportunity to attend and appreciate this exciting visit.
Brian Harnetty is an interdisciplinary sound artist who works with archives and communities to foster social change. He creates sonic encounters centered on place and the transformative power of listening. Since 2010, Harnetty’s projects have brought together history, ecology, and economy in Appalachian Ohio, informed by his family's roots there.
The event will begin with Brian Harnetty in conversation with App State Faculty members Dr. Jacob Kopcienski (Hayes School of Music) and Dr. Cuong Mai (Philosophy and Religion) about Thomas Merton’s life and work, and Harnetty’s composition process. After Harnetty performs “Words and Silences” (~45 minutes), the panel will answer questions and discuss the performance with the audience.
Upcoming Events Presented by Affiliates
Affiliate events are organized by App State academic units and centers or by individual faculty members working with partners from other local and regional organizations.
Music Humanities Series
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024
6 - 7 p.m.Colombian Film Festival
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
5 p.m.Colombian Film Festival
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024
5 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m.2024 Civil War Speaker Series
Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.Colombian Film Festival
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
5 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, March 20, 2025
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, March 20, 2025
6 - 7:30 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, March 27, 2025
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, March 27, 2025
6 - 7:30 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, April 10, 2025
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Thursday, April 10, 2025
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Mission
High Country Humanities seeks to sponsor and support local humanities events that are open to the public. In some cases, we will promote humanities events organized by our community partners, and in other cases, we will organize events ourselves. Whether the event takes place on the Appalachian State’s campus or elsewhere, High Country Humanities events will be open to everyone in the public interested in the humanities.
Get Involved
High Country Humanities welcomes faculty and community input. We invite local stakeholders to contribute to this initiative. To get involved, please contact hchumanities@appstate.edu. Here are a few ways to participate:
- Suggest an event for us to promote.
- Nominate a community leader or humanities expert to serve on the advisory board.
- Volunteer to help organize or staff an upcoming event.
- Want to receive announcements about upcoming events? Subscribe to our mailing list
Donors and Sponsors
If you are interested in making a donation to support High Country Humanities, or if you are a local vendor who wishes to sponsor an upcoming event, please contact hchumanities@appstate.edu. Contributions of any amount make a difference!
App State High Country Humanities Receives Grant from North Carolina Humanities
High Country Humanities has received a large grant from North Carolina Humanities. This $20,000 grant will help fund a series of free public events relating to the theme of “Connecting Local and Global Rural Cultures,” including workshops, panel discussions, guided tours and interactive lectures in which humanities experts will help the public learn about a broad range of rural cultures.
This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, www.nchumanities.org.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of North Carolina Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.