University of Southern California

Graduate Students


Rebecca Cerling


Contact Information

E-mail: rcerling@usc.edu


Biographical Sketch


I am a European Medievalist specializing in the history of monasticism and of children in monasticism. My dissertation is entitled, "Inside the Walls: Toward a Child's View of Eleventh-Century English Monaticism."  I use textual evidence plus spatial theory and anthropology to analyze child oblate's lives at Christ Church Canterbury at the time of the Norman Conquest.  My hope is to move the spotlight away from adults' perspectives about these children onto the children themselves.  I welcome any questions about the graduate program at USC!

Education

  • M.Div. Fuller Theological Seminary
  • B.A. Wheaton College
  • M.A. History, University of Southern California, 2010


Employment History

  • Teaching Assistant, USC, 2008 - 2010

Research


Summary Statement of Research Interests


  • My dissertation is entitled, "Inside the Walls: Toward a Child's View of Eleventh-Century English Monaticism." I use textual evidence plus spatial theory and anthropology to analyze child oblate's lives at Christ Church Canterbury at the time of the Norman Conquest. My hope is to move the spotlight away from adults' perspectives about these children onto the children themselves. Advisor: Lisa M. Bitel

Research Specialties


  • European history, Central Middle Ages, Monastic history, History of Childhood

Conference Presentations

  • "Methods for Teaching and Researching about Children in Religion," American Academy of Religion, 11/2012
  • "Within the Walls: Towards a Child's View of Monastic Life" for Signs of Christian Authority in the Pre-modern West, USC, 4/2012
  • The Role of Children in Twelth-Century Monasticism: An Overiew of Parental and Monastic Motives for Child Oblation," International Congress for the Study of the Rule of St. Benedict, Sant' Anselmo, Rome, 6/2006

Honors and Awards

  • USC Graduate Merit Scholarship, 2012-2013  
  • Oakley Doctoral Fellowship, 2011-2012   
  • USC Graduate Merit Scholarship, 2009-2011  
  • USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture Doctoral Research Grant, 2010-2011   
  • Hubbard Fellowship, USC, 2009-2010   
  • USC Foulke Endowment, Spring 2010   

Service to the University


Committees


  • Member, Program Committee,Department of History, USC, 2009-2010