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

Lisa Heineman

Professor Lisa Heineman Receives Hubbard-Walder Teaching Award

Thursday, March 26, 2026
The Hubbard-Walder Teaching Award 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.
Jamison Stone

History Undergraduate Chosen for Research in the Capitol Program

Friday, February 27, 2026
Jamison Stone, an undergraduate honors student, was selected as one of just 20 Iowa students to participate in the prestigious Research in the Capitol program.

Upcoming events

Graduate History Society's Spring Book Sale promotional image

Graduate History Society's Spring Book Sale

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 9:00am to 4:00pm
Schaeffer Hall
Graduate History Society's Spring Book Sale
Rapid Response History: A Judeo-Christian Tradition? promotional image

Rapid Response History: A Judeo-Christian Tradition?

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Schaeffer Hall
Rapid Response History
Book Matters: James Costa and Elizabeth Yale promotional image

Book Matters: James Costa and Elizabeth Yale

Thursday, April 9, 2026 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Prairie Lights Books
Join us for a reading and discussion to celebrate The Descent of Man: An Annotated Edition of Darwin’s Classic Work, annotated by James Costa, professor of biology and executive director of the Highlands Biological Station at Western Carolina University, and Elizabeth Yale, associate professor of history at the University of Iowa.
Samuel Huneke, "I Will Not Abandon You" promotional image

Samuel Huneke, "I Will Not Abandon You"

Friday, April 10, 2026 3:00pm
MacLean Hall
Author and Historian of Modern Europe to speak on his book I Will Not Abandon You.
Rapid Response History: Signs of the Times: Reusing Ancient Symbols in Modern History and Museums promotional image

Rapid Response History: Signs of the Times: Reusing Ancient Symbols in Modern History and Museums

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Schaeffer Hall
Rapid Response History
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