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

Special Topics in Politics - Strategizing and Leading Campaigns & Political Movements promotional image

Special Topics in Politics - Strategizing and Leading Campaigns & Political Movements

Thursday, September 18, 2025 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
Introduction to the world of political campaigns and movement building. Learn the fundamentals of campaign roles, messaging, field and digital strategy, and mechanics of fundraising and GOTV. Whether exploring a career in politics or aiming to drive change from the ground up, this class will equip you with the tools and perspective to make an impact.
Special Topics in Politics - Strategizing and Leading Campaigns & Political Movements promotional image

Special Topics in Politics - Strategizing and Leading Campaigns & Political Movements

Friday, September 19, 2025 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
Introduction to the world of political campaigns and movement building. Learn the fundamentals of campaign roles, messaging, field and digital strategy, and mechanics of fundraising and GOTV. Whether exploring a career in politics or aiming to drive change from the ground up, this class will equip you with the tools and perspective to make an impact.
Musings on Folded, Flapped, Rolled, and Manipulated Paper promotional image

Musings on Folded, Flapped, Rolled, and Manipulated Paper

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
An Online Curator Talk with Elizabeth Yale, Damien Ihrig, and Giselle Simón
Grad School for History Students promotional image

Grad School for History Students

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
An informal panel presentation offering advice and inspiration for undergraduates.
Application Deadline: Faculty Book Proposal Workshop with Sara Jo Cohen, Obermann Editor-in-Residence promotional image

Application Deadline: Faculty Book Proposal Workshop with Sara Jo Cohen, Obermann Editor-in-Residence

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 5:00pm
111 Church Street
For this workshop, 4–5 UI faculty members will submit book proposal drafts for a collaborative feedback session on November 5 led by Sara Jo Cohen, the Obermann Center's 2025 Editor-in-Residence. The session is designed to help authors write a compelling book proposal, with a focus on crafting a strong pitch, identifying target audiences, and outlining the project’s structure. The workshop’s goal is for participants to walk away with a strong and cohesive book proposal, increasing their chance...
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