Sharing the Sound
Category
For Ellen Sorber ’20 and Ally Vail ’25, music is more than performance: it’s connection. Through their work with the Skaneateles Festival, the communications alumnae are helping bring world-class music…
Why a Core Curriculum?
Where You’ll Figure Out How to Think, Not Just What to Study
Every Le Moyne student experiences our core curriculum, which simultaneously supports your major and also exposes you to classes outside your major. This approach to learning will give you the tools to understand complex problems and create meaningful change in the world.
The Curriculum at the Core of Every Major
As a Le Moyne student, you’ll share one thing with all of your peers regardless of major: your core classes. The Core isn’t about checking off requirements though, it’s about building skills that stay with you for the rest of your life. See how the Core will help you grow throughout your time at Le Moyne.
Connecting the Dots
The real world doesn’t separate problems into “biology” or “business.” You’ll learn how to think across disciplines, connect ideas, and approach challenges from multiple angles. That ability to see the bigger picture (and act on it) is what will set you apart.
“When you spend a semester exploring ethical issues in depth, you start to recognize those same ideas in other courses. Whether it’s organizational behavior, risk management, or classes in your major, you’re able to make stronger connections because you’ve already developed a framework for thinking about them. The Core gives you the opportunity to explore those questions more deeply.” – Victoria
Think for Yourself
You won’t just memorize information, you’ll learn how to question it. Debate real-world issues, analyze what’s true, and back up your ideas with evidence. Over time, you’ll build the confidence to form your own perspective and defend it.
“Core courses helped me apply my critical thinking skills in different contexts, which is something that’s important for my future work as an archivist. I learned how to read, analyze, and contextualize documents not just for what they present, but for what they reveal.” – Lauren
Evaluate Information
We’re surrounded by information, but not all of it is reliable. You’ll learn how to ask better questions, spot bias, and find sources you can trust. Whether you’re researching a paper, following the news, or making decisions in your career, you’ll know how to separate fact from noise.
“The Core changed the way I interact with media, even just scrolling on Instagram or watching a show. I think way more critically about that.” – Ryan
Understand the World Through Data
Numbers tell powerful stories if you know how to read them. From budgets to public health trends, you’ll learn how to interpret data, recognize patterns, and use numbers to make informed decisions in a complex world.
“Understanding what numbers mean and how they apply to research is essential in nursing. The Core helped me become more informed and gave me the tools to evaluate evidence, apply it in practice, and become a better nurse both inside and outside the classroom.”
Make Decisions That Matter
What do you stand for? You’ll explore tough questions about right and wrong, consider different perspectives, and reflect on your own values. These experiences help you make thoughtful, ethical decisions both at Le Moyne and beyond.
“The philosophy courses I took gave me some of the most valuable lessons of my college experience. They challenged me to think more deeply about myself, my values, and the decisions I make. That framework for thinking continues to shape how I’ve developed my own ethical perspective.” – Elijah
Create Change That Matters
Big challenges don’t have simple solutions. You’ll explore issues like inequality, access, and justice and think through what it means to respond with empathy, responsibility, and action. Along the way, you’ll start to define the kind of impact you want to make.
“These courses challenged me to see perspectives I hadn’t considered before, or to revisit ideas I had dismissed too quickly. They taught me to think through different viewpoints more carefully, and that’s helped me better understand and relate to other people.” – Jen
Taking Italian as part of my CORE requirements ended up being one of the most valuable choices I made as a business student. It made a real difference—from helping us navigate cultural norms to making a strong impression during a visit with the Italian branch of Berkshire Hathaway. I even received an internship offer in Italy after greeting the executive in Italian. That experience showed me how liberal arts courses can open unexpected doors in the business world.”
A Pillar of Jesuit Education
The Core is central to our Catholic and Jesuit mission of educating you in a rigorous academic environment.
Stand Out for What You’ll Bring to the Table
The biggest impact of the Core isn’t just what you learn: it’s who you become. You’ll learn how to think critically, communicate clearly, and make thoughtful, ethical decisions. You’ll see issues from multiple perspectives, engage with complex ideas, and better understand your role in creating a more just world.
And here’s the secret: these aren’t just academic skills. They’re exactly what employers are looking for. Across industries, organizations are seeking graduates who can think independently, collaborate with others, adapt to new challenges, and lead with purpose. The Core helps you build those skills from day one, so you’re ready for what comes next.
For Ellie Sommers ’22, becoming a doctor means more than mastering science—it’s about understanding the humanity at the heart of care.
Art & Wellness: Core to The Heights
Category
Is creativity essential for wellness? Can making or experiencing art improve our well-being? The Art & Wellness Core class dives into these questions and more.
Sharing the Sound
Category
For Ellen Sorber ’20 and Ally Vail ’25, music is more than performance: it’s connection. Through their work with the Skaneateles Festival, the communications alumnae are helping bring world-class music…
For Ellie Sommers ’22, becoming a doctor means more than mastering science—it’s about understanding the humanity at the heart of care.
Art & Wellness: Core to The Heights
Category
Is creativity essential for wellness? Can making or experiencing art improve our well-being? The Art & Wellness Core class dives into these questions and more.
For our final project, we had to connect our major and personal background to a challenge we cared about. At first, I wasn't even sure what it meant to make nursing sustainable. But as I dug deeper, I realized how influential my role as a nurse can be and how much being a nurse has become part of who I am. The project helped me identify my purpose.”
Questions? Let’s get in touch.
Holly A. Rine, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Email
