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

Understanding Antisemitism

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Iowa City Public Library

Understanding Antisemitism

A lecture by Professor Elizabeth Heineman

Commemorating UN Day on the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations


Spooky Night @ The Museum promotional image

Spooky Night @ The Museum

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Old Capitol Museum

Happy Spooky Szn, Hawkeyes!

The Pentacrest Museums are excited to put on Spooky Night @ The Museum, open for all of our campus and community to enjoy. We'll keep the Old Capitol Museum open after hours for guests to find a treat and roam the galleries. Stumble upon docents with some slightly spooky history to share with you in our galleries like the original University President's Office, the original UI Library, and the original Iowa House Chamber where our Iowa Constitution was first drafted...

Honors in History Info Session promotional image

Honors in History Info Session

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
Find out about the Honors in History program for undergraduates
Book Reading by Ayelet Tsabari promotional image

Book Reading by Ayelet Tsabari

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Prairie Lights Books

Join the University of Iowa (UI) Jewish Studies Network, an International Programs affinity group, for a book reading with award-winning author Ayelet Tsabari. Tsabari will read from her novel, Songs for the Brokenhearted, and share insights about Yemeni Jewish identity, culture, and traditions. She will also present audio and images from her research into Yemeni women’s songs, while reflecting on the unique challenges of writing about Israel in English, her second language.

Sign up for event...

Faculty Colloquium promotional image

Faculty Colloquium

Friday, October 31, 2025 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Schaeffer Hall

Rob Rouphail: “Mandarin of the Ecological Modern: Hassan Fathy, Nature, and the African Ecumenopolis”

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