Why Iowa?

With the geographical breadth of our courses, our students develop a global consciousness along with key transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and empathy.

Build a foundation

Expand your horizons

Learn from experts

See Yourself Here

Share our enthusiasm for the study of past societies and cultures to unlock important insights into the world we inhabit.

Everything has history behind it

History is the centerpiece of a humanities education. It's about problem solving, gathering evidence, and fitting that evidence together to understand what happened in past societies – and why those things happened.

Write Your Story

Become an expert in analyzing and contextualizing the past to guide decisions for today and future. With our programs in history, you’ll find intellectual satisfaction and wisdom in understanding the past on its own terms.

Stephen Warren working with a student

Iowa Native Spaces

Until recently, Iowa Native history was not a big part of social studies curricula in Iowa’s public schools. That is changing, and the University of Iowa is helping drive the change.

Writing Center staff member and student

History Writing Center

The History Writing Center is available to any student in a history course needing assistance with a writing assignment. 

Old Capitol

History Corps

History Corps is a graduate student-led, online digital and oral history project based out of the Department of History at the University of Iowa.

News and announcements

Mariola Espinosa

Associate Professor Mariola Espinosa receives prestigious NEH grant

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Mariola Espinosa, associate professor of history, was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant, the nation’s most prestigious humanities scholarship.
Shane Bobrycki

Assistant Professor Shane Bobrycki discusses new book

Tuesday, January 21, 2025
"The Crowd in the Early Middle Ages" examines the importance of collective behavior in early Middle Age Europe.
Rosemary Moore

Associate Professor Rosemary Moore reflects on service, teaching and research

Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Associate Professor Rosemary Moore was on active duty in the U.S. Navy for five years. She uses this experience in both her courses and research on the Roman military.

Upcoming events

Homerathon 2025: "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" screening with Eta Sigma Phi promotional image

Homerathon 2025: "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" screening with Eta Sigma Phi

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Trowbridge Hall
For the second event of Homerathon Week 2025, Eta Sigma Phi, our Classical Honors Society, is hosting a screening of the highly-acclaimed filmed based on Homer's timeless epic poem, the Odyssey. All are welcome to attend this free event.
Homerathon 2025 promotional image

Homerathon 2025

Thursday, April 24, 2025 9:00am to 9:00pm
Pedestrian Mall, Downtown Iowa City
Starting at 9 am, we will be reading the entire Odyssey over the course of 12 hours! There are very few works in history that have had the impact of the Odyssey. Audiences have enjoyed the work for centuries and innumerable artists have invoked the story and its characters in their own pieces, leaving a mark on the western canon the size of the Grand Canyon. Stop by the Ped Mall (just off E. Washington St.) and soak up the magic, heroism, love, and grief in the audience, or sign up for a slot to...
Rapid Response History promotional image

Rapid Response History

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 5:00pm to 6:50pm
Schaeffer Hall
Rapid Response History offers historical and scholarly perspectives on current events. This spring, we examine the implications and historical background of “Project 2025” as a blueprint for political transition, and for the policies of the second Trump Administration. Scholars will examine a range of topics, including social policy, the federal civil service, immigration, native policy, energy and the environment, reproductive rights, and antisemitism. All sessions are open to the public...
History Senior Send-off promotional image

History Senior Send-off

Thursday, May 1, 2025 5:00pm to 6:30pm
University Capitol Centre
History majors and minors are invited to the annual Senior Send-off! Join us for a food and fun to celebrate another wonderful year. We'll announce departmental awards and recognize the accomplishments of our amazing undergraduates. You don't have to RSVP, but it helps for planning! Click here to let us know if you plan to attend.
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