The Department of Humanities became a separate department in 1968 upon the division of the former Department of English and Humanities. The first degree offered by the Department was the Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature. Since 1971, it has also offered degrees in the areas of: Plastic Arts, Theory of Art, Philosophy, and French Language and Literature . In addition to the courses related to these areas, the Department regularly offers courses in: Asian culture, Biblical studies, Classical languages and literatures, German, Italian, Latin-American culture, Music, and Theatre , as well as a two-semester survey course in Humanities, which is a requirement for many of the students in the University. Among the facilities of the Department are an art gallery, a specialized library and study room for our majors, a theatre workshop and an interdisciplinary research center for philosophy in it's interdisciplinary practical and professional ethics, philosophy of science and philosophy of technology. The University is in the process of funding new and expanded art facilities. The mission of the Humanities Department must be understood in the context of the overall mission of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. The Department teaches our students to appreciate human culture and diversity, and to value true knowledge, the good and beauty. The Department of Humanities promotes research among its faculty, and is a key instrument in the development of educational offerings and cultural activities conducive to the intellectual, aesthetic and moral formation of well-rounded human beings. The Department is especially interested in promoting awareness of the value of the fields of philosophy, the fine arts, literature and languages in the pursuit of true happiness and the good life and in the context of a changing world. It pays special attention to the formation of its cadre of majors --future artists, intellectuals, creative leaders in the professions, teachers, professors, researchers-- but it also looks upon itself as responsible for providing the higher education offerings and services by which our citizenry in general may avail itself of what is most important and enriching in our cultural heritage.