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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
History

Ericka Swensson-Tsagakis

eswensso@usc.edu, emswensson@yahoo.com

MAJOR FIELD: Early Medieval Europe

ADVISER: Lisa Bitel

STATUS: Pre-quals
Currently, I am a third year graduate student at USC. I received my undergraduate degree in European History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and my MA degree in Medieval Europe from California State University, Long Beach. My primary field is early medieval Europe and I am also part of the Gender Studies program at USC. My dissertation project is a biography of the cult of the Anglo-Saxon saint S. Mildrith, (Mildred). I am focusing on the archeological, historical, and literary development of Mildrith’s cult beginning in the 8th century, continuing through the early modern period, and ending with a discussion of her cult in nineteenth century. More broadly, I am interested in the intersections between hagiography and gender and the evolution of female sanctity in medieval and early modern Europe. I also work on the Monastic Matrix, a website hosted at USC and dedicated to the documentation of women’s contributions to the religious culture and society of medieval Europe. When I am not freaking out over my dissertation, I can be found at the beach (one of the many perks of our program at USC), making homemade beer and soaps, or watching really bad t.v. I warmly welcome all questions about the History program, Gender Studies program, or the Monastic Matrix at USC.