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

Shane Bobrycki

Assistant Professor Shane Bobrycki discusses new book

Wednesday, January 22, 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, December 3, 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

A History of Ancient Rome in Five Strikes promotional image

A History of Ancient Rome in Five Strikes

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Join us Feb. 4 for Sarah Bond's lecture about her new book: "Strike: Labor, Unions, and Resistance in the Roman Empire" (Yale University Press, 2025).
Interdisciplinary Consortium for the Study for War & Genocide Monthly Workshop Meetings promotional image

Interdisciplinary Consortium for the Study for War & Genocide Monthly Workshop Meetings

Friday, February 7, 2025 10:30am to 12:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
The CLAS Office of the Dean and the Research Development Office invite you to a monthly workshop series focused on the Interdisciplinary Consortium for the Study of War and Genocide. The second monthly workshop will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in 302 SH. This session will feature presentations by Stephanie DiPietro (Associate Professor; Sociology and Criminology) and Elke Heckner (Associate Professor of Instruction; German). An agenda is provided below. 10:30–10:40 a.m...
Faculty Colloquium - Investing in Segregation: Life Insurance Companies and Private Race Restrictions, 1910-1940 promotional image

Faculty Colloquium - Investing in Segregation: Life Insurance Companies and Private Race Restrictions, 1910-1940

Friday, February 7, 2025 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Schaeffer Hall
Colin Gordon - Investing in Segregation: Life Insurance Companies and Private Race Restrictions, 1910-1940
Exhibition Opening | it's a fine thing promotional image

Exhibition Opening | it's a fine thing

Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Stanley Museum of Art
Join us for the opening of the exhibition, it's a fine thing This exhibition explores the rich and often overlooked landscape of the Black Midwest, challenging conventional narratives and celebrating the resilience and creativity of Black Midwestern artists.  Program begins at 6 p.m. with opening remarks, followed by refreshments and music. Event concludes at 8 p.m. Learn more: https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/its-a-fine-thing it’s a fine thing is generously supported by the Terra Foundation...

Faculty Colloquium - Introduction: The Politics of Dwelling

Friday, February 14, 2025 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Schaeffer Hall
Greg Valdespino - Introduction: The Politics of Dwelling
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