Core Curriculum


Lenoir-Rhyne University’s core curriculum is an innovative, comprehensive and flexible introduction to the liberal arts and sciences, and is the common foundation of a Lenoir-Rhyne education. It is designed around ways of knowing the world, big questions both enduring and current, and the growth of a healthy, reflective, and articulate self.

The core has three primary parts:

  1. The First Year Experience is a topical, year-long course that introduces students to the college-level work, to college social and cultural life and to the college world view.
  2. Foundations focus on essential skills, broader cultural and interpersonal understanding, and a Christian perspective.
  3. The Liberal Arts and Sciences (Humanities, Human Society and Behavior, the Natural World, and the Fine Arts) courses are built around ways of knowing, both within and between, the traditional disciplines. Students take introductory courses in all of these areas and then two upper-level, intensive seminars. Students complete a capstone presentation in one of the seminars.

Core Curriculum Components


  • The First-Year Experience
  • The Foundations courses
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences courses (Level 1)
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences seminars (Level 2)
  • The Core Capstone Project
  • Global Learning
  • Career/transition Preparation