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.

Upcoming events

Hawkeye History Corp promotional image

Hawkeye History Corp

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
First meeting of the Spring Semester for the Hawkeye History Corps
Death of a Brewer: Trailer Teaser Screening & Discussion promotional image

Death of a Brewer: Trailer Teaser Screening & Discussion

Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:30pm
Old Capitol Museum
Death of a Brewer film trailer screening and discussion at Old Capitol Museum as part of FREE WEEK in Iowa City
Book Reading by Clare Kinberg promotional image

Book Reading by Clare Kinberg

Monday, February 23, 2026 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Prairie Lights Books

Join the University of Iowa (UI) Jewish Studies Network, an International Programs affinity group, for a special event with author Clare Kinberg. Kinberg will read from her novel, By the Waters of Paradise: An American Story of Racism and Rupture in a Jewish Family, and share reflections on uncovering long-hidden truths within her family’s history.

Clare Kinberg is a white Jewish woman whose wife and daughters are descendants of the African diaspora. When she discovered her estranged Aunt Rose’s...

Careers Panel for History Majors promotional image

Careers Panel for History Majors

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 5:00pm to 6:15pm
Schaeffer Hall

This panel brings together former history students to show history majors the many career paths their degree can open. Panelists will share how they translated skills like research, writing, critical analysis, and understanding complex concepts and change over time into careers in education, law, public policy, museums, business, and beyond. Through candid discussion and audience Q&A, students gain practical insight into job searches, transferable skills, and the unexpected ways a history...

Book Matters: Ashley Howard in conversation with Louise Seamster promotional image

Book Matters: Ashley Howard in conversation with Louise Seamster

Thursday, February 26, 2026 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Join us for a reading a reading and discussion to celebrate Ashley Howard, assistant professor of history and African American studies, and her new book, Midwest Unrest: 1960s Urban Rebellions and the Black Freedom Movement.
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