Jesse Levin
Class of 2006
Los Angeles-born Jesse Levin is a twenty-one-year-old USC senior with a double major in Religion and International Relations and a minor in Cinema-Television. Balancing a diverse academic workload with his equally wide-ranging interests in film, improv, writing and football, this Phi Beta Kappa member has made the Dean’s List every semester. Additionally, he’s been honored with a USC Renaissance Scholar Recognition award. After graduation, Jesse plans to attend law school to further prepare for his career as an entertainment lawyer.
You're majoring in both Religion and International Relations with a minor in Cinema-Television. How did you arrive at such a diverse course of study?
"When I graduated from high school, I was interested in international issues and politics and I knew I most likely was going to go to law school. International Relations fit and so I started there. I took a Cinema class during my first semester and I really enjoyed it and I kept taking more classes. I also took a General Education requirement in Religion. It was challenging and fun. I’m not a very religious person, but I found it compelling because it encompassed history, sociology, art, and literature. So I started taking more Religion classes and declared the major."
How has a major in Religion prepared you for law school?
"Religion is an all-encompassing study and it has a lot of theory and teachings that are applicable to your life. It’s an exploration of different faiths and beliefs, and thinking systematically about them. And for me, it’s also personal. My dad is Jewish and my mom is Christian. Growing up in an interfaith household was interesting. My dad converted to Episcopalianism and so did my mom (who was originally Presbyterian). This exploration left its mark on me. I wanted to continue learning about other faiths. And coming out of college, I want to know a lot about the world. The study of religion is a good launching pad."
Here's a scenario: you’re a successful entertainment lawyer and you're in negotiations. How would you use your religious studies background to facilitate the encounter?
"Understanding different religions, faiths, and beliefs gives you an advantage in dealing with people. The study of religion--just like the study of International Relations--is the study of the interaction between people. You can’t have a religion with one person. It's a very dynamic, organic, multiple people sort of thing. In the given scenario, if the client has a particular religious belief or none at all, understanding this dimension can be very helpful."
How has the major deepened your awareness of yourself?
"I grew up in a liberal household with multiple faiths and my parents encouraged me to make my own decisions about religion. That’s also the feeling I got from the Religion department here. All of the professors--whether they're secular or from a particular faith background--are very warm. The study of religion really encourages pluralism. I like having a pluralistic perspective and picking and choosing what I think are the best philosophies."
