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

Ashley Howard 2025

Ashley Howard Awarded CLAS Collegiate Teaching Award

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Ashley Howard was one of six individuals awarded the Collegiate Teaching Award given annually to faculty who demonstrate outstanding performance in the classroom.
Lisa Heineman

Lisa Heineman receives Hubbard-Walder Award

Thursday, March 26, 2026
Lisa Heineman, co-director of the Jewish Studies Certificate and Professor of History and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), received the Hubbard-Walder Teaching Award which honors UI faculty who participate in teaching and contributed to curriculum and/or program development.
Professor Colin Gordon

History Professor named 2026 UI Distinguished Chair

Friday, March 6, 2026
Colin Gordon, professor of history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named the 2026 University of Iowa Distinguished Chair.

Upcoming events

2026 Annual John Martin Rare Book Room Open House promotional image

2026 Annual John Martin Rare Book Room Open House

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Hardin Library for Health Sciences
Iowa Icons: Leaders, Innovators, and Trailblazers in the History of Iowa Medicine
Rapid Response History: America250 and its Discontents promotional image

Rapid Response History: America250 and its Discontents

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Schaeffer Hall
Rapid Response History: America250
Rusty the Giant Ground Sloth's BIRTHDAY BASH promotional image

Rusty the Giant Ground Sloth's BIRTHDAY BASH

Monday, May 11, 2026 5:00pm to 8:00pm
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Join us for a wildly charming after-hours celebration: Rusty the Giant Ground Sloth’s Birthday Bash at the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History!
View more events