Radford University
School of Writing, Language and Literature
Where Words Shape Worlds
The School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) houses the Department of English and the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. Combining the strengths of these disciplines, SWLL is Radford University's interdisciplinary hub for language, culture and expression. Through innovation and collaboration, SWLL empowers students to think critically, write powerfully and engage globally.
Academic Programs
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Minors available: English, Creative Writing, Professional Writing and Health Humanities.
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Minors available: Foreign Languages, Spanish, Hispanic Studies, German Studies, Classical Humanities and Intercultural Studies.
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SWLL Events (Fall 2025)
- Welcome Brunch
- Game Night
- Reading: Mildred Barya
- Halloween Party
- Panel: What is a Veteran?
- Christmas Potluck
Welcome Brunch
The School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) welcomes back all students, faculty and staff from the Department of English and the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for this early-semester brunch. Feel free to drop by whenever you can for as long as you can--before, after or in-between your classes--and satisfy those end-of-the-week caffeine and sugar cravings. If you're an ENGL or FORL major, minor or grad student (or a prospective student), we hope you'll join us for this event!
Date: Friday, September 5
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: Hemphill 4800
Contact: Paige Horst, Ph.D. or Michael Marberry, Ph.D.
Game Night
Hey...just because we're language and literature nerds doesn't mean that we can't be gaming nerds, too! Join the School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) for our latest and greatest game night. If you've never attended one of the game nights before, it's a fun and low-stress way to meet other folks in the ENGL/FORL departments. We'll play some mix of boardgames, card games, mind games (...not really), trivia and maybe video games to bring out our faux-competitive sides.
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Hemphill 4800
Contact: Frank Napolitano, Ph.D. or Michael Marberry, Ph.D.
Reading: Mildred Barya
Writer Mildred Barya will be reading from her forthcoming poetry collection, Hands in Clay (Serving House Books). Barya is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina - Asheville and coordinates the Poetrio Reading Series. Her work has previously appeared in Tin House, New England Review, The Cincinnati Review, and elsewhere.
Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Blacksburg Books
Contact: Rick Van Noy, Ph.D. or Paige Horst, Ph.D.
Halloween Party
Back by popular demand, the School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) is digging up the zombified corpse of its annual Halloween party to once again bring delight (and fright!) to your autumnal vibes. So...you ENGL and FORL faculty, students and staff: Embrace the spooky season and join us for a night of candy, costumes, crafts, games, prizes, pumpkins(?!), or whatever else we can conjure up. Bring your friends!
Date: Monday, October 27
Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Hemphill 4800
Contact: Michele Ren, Ph.D. or Michael Marberry, Ph.D.
Panel: What is a Veteran?
In honor of the many veterans at Radford University, the School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) and the Military Resource Center (MRC) are partnering up for a panel event, exploring depictions of military service in popular media. Featuring panelists from the Department of English, the Department of History, the Military Resource Center and more, we'll discuss what film, television, video games, etc. get right (and wrong!) about veterans and their experiences.
Date: Monday, November 10
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: TBD
Contact: Michael Marberry, Ph.D.
Christmas Potluck
The School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) wraps up the semester with our annual Christmas potluck! If you're a faculty, student or staff within the Department of English or Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, take a break from your final exams, your grading, your travel plans, the cold weather and the gift-shopping ennui to join us for some good food and good conversation.
Date: Wednesday, December 10
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Hemphill 4800
Contact: Amanda Biviano, Ph.D. or Michael Marberry, Ph.D.
SWLL News
Frank Napolitano, Ph.D. (Professor of English and Coordinator of the SWLL Graduate Teaching Mentor Program) was recognized with the "Distinguished Teaching Award" by the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences for his work with undergraduate and graduate students. Congratulations!
Paige Horst, Ph.D. (Director of the School of Writing, Language and Literature) dropped by the "Hollywood or History?" podcast to discuss how elementary teachers and students can explore critical thinking, historical context, social empathy and civic engagement in the classroom.
Study Abroad
Available for students in any major, the School of Writing, Language and Literature (SWLL) offers several study abroad opportunities each year, including Mexico, Spain, Taiwan and more!