Marisa Ligons
Class of 2006
Marisa Ligons grew up in the San Fernando Valley, a part of the Southern California region. She is a double major in Religion and History at USC. In between her studies, she is a color guard in the Trojan marching band, which takes her throughout the country performing choreographed tall flags routines. Additionally, this graduating senior has distinguished herself as a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society. She plans to pursue a career in either archaeology or government.
This year you will graduate with a major in both Religion and History. How has carrying a double major worked for you?
"When I first started at USC, I wanted to study ancient civilizations. So, I studied history first. But the more I looked at it; the more I realized that you can't really study history without understanding the religion that goes along with it."
Do you find that you have a greater depth of understanding in pursuing both majors?
"Definitely. Religion helps you understand the history of people and why people pursue certain actions; the actions, in turn, inform the religious tradition. It helps you realize that religion isn't something we just do, but is actually an important aspect and part of our lives."
And how would you apply what you’ve learned to a career in government?
"I am leaning in two possible directions. First, I am looking at working in government as an analyst who specifically looks at people's religious background. Secondly, I am considering how religion might be used as a basis for understanding evidence and people's claims. I think that religion is usually an aspect that government forgets. We look at groups as socio-economical groups; we look at them based upon what we know of them historically. But here, you may miss the whole point if you don't consider their religious identity and how that shapes their attitudes and actions. "
How have your courses in religion helped you to grow as a person?
"I think it’s definitely opened me up to different types of traditions and in a way, I’ve become more tolerant. I grew up in a very fundamentalist setting and went to a Christian private school. I was respectful of other's beliefs, but my beliefs were very set. I had made up my mind that they just weren't going to change. But when I started to get into my Religion classes, I realized that things weren’t as black and white as I thought they were."
What would you say to somebody who’s considering the Religion major?
"I think the most important reason to declare this major is that it will help you learn more about yourself and how you perceive your world. Even if you don’t necessarily believe or you subscribe to one particular fiath, majoring in Religion helps you look at the world through a different set of eyes. Although it is the basis for a lot of ways that we view people, I don’t think people really put enough value on it. Religion definitely helps you have a broader worldview."
