The Illuminating Manuscript
An Occasional Newsletter about the Medievalist Graduate Students of Loyola’s History Department
Updated Fall 2007
Steven Catania (Ph.D.
Student) writes: “I am just starting out at Loyola and am in my first
semester of coursework. I am very excited to be here. My
research focuses primarily on warfare during the High Middle Ages.
I am currently working on a joint article (with Dr. Lee Brice) detailing
some of my research on siege crews. By the end of this academic
year, I hope to have the article published and start developing my seminar
paper into another journal submission.”
Kirsten DeVries (Ph.D.
Candidate) reports that "in 2006-2007, I had the Schmitt Dissertation
Fellowship and worked on research for my dissertation. I moved back
to Chicago in April, 2007, and by early September, 2007, I have written
drafts for three more chapters--one on Gregory of Tours, one on the
episcopal councils of the sixth and seventh centuries, and one on episcopal
letters."
Andrew Donnelly (Ph.D.
Student) says, “In 2006-2007 I, to my great relief, completed the
last of my coursework and chaired the 6th annual Vagantes conference.
I spent a wonderful June and July at the American Academy in Rome, where
I participated in the Howard Comfort Summer Program in Roman Pottery
Studies. The program was of great help to my dissertation research,
and we will publish our findings -- a catalog of pottery from Ostia
-- by next summer. Finally, I have been awarded a Teaching Fellowship
for 2007-2008. In the fall I will complete my dissertation proposal,
and in the spring I will take my minor and major field examinations.”
Thomas Greene (Ph.D.
Student) notes: “I took and passed (with distinction) my major field
comprehensive exam in December 2006. At Kalamazoo this past May, I presented
‘Feeling Religious: Emotions in Agobard of Lyon’s Pastoral Writing.’
I have since
been working on the proposal for my dissertation, which I have tentatively
titled ‘Emotions and Religious Culture: The Carolingian Pastoral Ideal
in the Archdiocese of Sens, 798-981.’ I expect to defend the proposal
in October 2007 and move on to the dissertation stage.”
For Thomas Juettner
(M.A. Student) writes, “2006-2007 was my first year in the Master's
program at Loyola. I found it very challenging but very rewarding as
well. I presented my first conference paper, ‘Violence and Volition
in Late Medieval Florence’ at Loyola's History Graduate Student Association
Conference in April. This year I'm interning at the Loyola University
Museum of Art where I'm working on the D'Arcy collection of Medieval
and Renaissance art. I also am excited to be working with manuscripts
for the first time this year in a course at the Newberry Library. Hopefully
I'll be able to turn that research into another conference paper by
the spring of 2008.”
Frances Mitilineos (Ph.D.
Candidate) says: “The past year, 2006-2007, passed quickly and yet
I can point to few milestones. My entry for the ABC CLIO
World History Encyclopedia, ‘The Jew as Other in Catholic Europe,’
is in its final revision. ‘Clipped Coins and Herrings:
Intercultural Criminals in Medieval England’ will be my only
conference paper this year (Medieval Jewish Studies Association, Evanston,
October 21st). I am an adjunct instructor at Oakton
Community College where my assignments have broadened to include the
second half of the U. S. History survey. My primary goal, however,
is to complete my dissertation, and I continue to work toward that end.
Amy Oberlin (M.A. Student)
observes: “Last year, 2006-7, was my first year in the Master’s
Program at Loyola. I naturally spent much of the year becoming acclimated
to the program and the demands of being a graduate student. In the spring,
I presented a paper at the History Graduate Student Association conference
at Loyola. This paper, “Emotional Violence in Early Ireland, from
the 6th through the 8th Centuries” explored the language and penalties
surrounding emotions in the Early Irish Penitentials and Legal Codes.
In addition to continuing coursework, I am working on a topic for my
Master’s Thesis.”
Daniel O’Gorman (Ph.D.
Student) says, “I am currently in my fourth semester as a PhD student
and am finishing up my coursework this year. In the next few months,
I will also be taking my minor field exams. At Kalamazoo last year,
I presented a paper entitled ‘”Ne Wearð Dreorlicre Dæd Gedon on
þison Earde”: The “Trial,” Mutilation and Death of Alfred Ætheling.’
Last spring, I won the Robert W. McCluggage Award for my Master's Essay:
“Elevating Edmund, 869-1200: Developing the Cult of an Anglo-Saxon
Saint.’”
Jilana Ordman (Ph.D.
Student) says, “In the past year I have been completing my dissertation
proposal, for my project to be titled ‘Feeling Like a Crusader: Crusader
Affect and Crusade Theology, 1095-1291.’ In March of 2007 I chaired
a session, ‘Encounters between East and West,’ at the 2007 Vagantes
conference hosted by Loyola. While teaching at Loyola, I am currently
learning about grants available for research and the grant application
process, and hoping to apply for one to assist in the completion of
my dissertation. I am also planning to submit a paper proposal for the
2008 Society for the Study of the Crusades in the Latin East conference
to be held in Avignon next August.”
Jennifer Stalec (M.A. Student) reports: “The past few months have been quite busy. In April 2007, I completed my coursework for the Master's Degree. This summer, I prepared for and passed my comprehensive exam, as well as designed curriculum for Proviso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park. I am currently in the early stages of research for my Master's Essay. I also accepted a position as an ILASS teacher (Integrated Language Arts and Social Studies) at P.M.S.A.”
Alan G. Zola (Ph.D. Candidate) writes: “I am currently working on my dissertation, which addresses the monastic ideals of Paschasius Radbertus, a ninth-century monk and abbot of Corbie. During the summer of 2006, as Dr. Dossey’s research assistant, I helped edit the manuscript for her forthcoming book. Since August 2006, I have worked as an adjunct faculty member at the College of DuPage, in Glen Ellyn, teaching both halves of western civilization.