students in class

Everything and Everyone has a History

Travel the medieval world in your own backyard
Kalani Craig's Virtual Medieval Pilgrimages project
The hidden lives of manuscripts
Ralph Mathisen's 30-year journey to decode the "Codex Sangallensis 190"
From history PhD to museum director
Q&A with Nile Blunt, director of the Cahoon Museum of American Art
History faculty take the helm in campus leadership positions
Dana Rabin, Erik McDuffie, and Jerry Dávila named director of Program in Jewish Culture & Society, Center for African Studies, and Humanities Research Institute
History alumna Kate D. McMahon awarded 2026 Illini Comeback Award from University of Illinois Alumni Association
Through her work with Messina Touring Group and Anschutz Entertainment Group, McMahon leads a team that promotes music industry giants.
Department of History launches innovative history + data science major
The Department of History is launching the first undergraduate degree program in history and data science in the country.
Old record book.

Harness the power of data to explore history

Our innovative history + data science major offers you a unique journey that combines the analytical power of data science with a nuanced understanding of history. 

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Why Study History?

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Take a walk with professor Rosalyn LaPier to learn why the study of history is important today. 

Spring 2027 Highlighted History Courses

map of egypt

Egypt since World War I

Understand the twentieth-century history of Egypt, including social, political, economic, and ideological developments, and Egypt's role in regional and international politics.

World War II photograph featuring soldiers on tanks

US in an Age of Empire

Study the imperial dimensions of U.S. history from about 1877 to 1920, an era marked by an imperial world system, unprecedented levels of international trade and investments, massive labor migrations, significant missionary endeavors, consolidation of U.S. power over Native Americans, and growing U.S. political and military assertion in the international arena.

Map of south america

Latin America to Independence

Explore colonial Latin America from Atlantic voyages to independence through the movement of people, knowledge, plants, animals, diseases, and commodities.

Group of Japanese Migrants

Asian American History

Asian Americans are a dizzyingly diverse group. Most do not even see themselves as "Asian American." How then can we speak of "Asian American history?" What issues arise in trying to incorporate this diversity into one historical narrative, one story? In this course, we will attempt to grapple with this problem.

Painting of ancient rome

The Roman Empire

Examine the political, social, economic, military, institutional, religious and cultural development of the Roman Empire from the reign of Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE) through the fall of the Western Roman Empire ca. 480 CE.

Scientific illustration of a brain

History of Medicine in the United States

Explore medicine and public health in the United States from the colonial period through the twentieth century.

BB King plays the guitar on stage

Black Music

What is black music, and how do we know what we think we know about it? Examine musical creations pioneered by Africans and individuals of African descent over several centuries and across hemispheres.

Young woman standing outside gregory hall.

Chart Your Own Path

Our program empowers you to explore your interests and passions within history and gives you the flexibility to pair the major with advanced language study, internships, study abroad experiences, undergraduate research, and community engagement.  

students studying in the main library reading room

Conduct Your Own Research

Follow your interests and explore topics that excite you. In our program, you'll learn the critical thinking, research, and analytical skills required to produce historical research. And you'll have access to the resources of the second largest university library in the country. 

In the News

Antoinette Burton

The Opinion Pages

Professor Antoinette Burton writes about the value and future of the humanities in the age of AI.

Marsha Barrett

CBS News

Professor Marsha Barrett spoke with CBS News about the cultural comparisons between the Artemis II and Apollo 8 missions, which both occurred during political turmoil.

Rosalyn LaPier

Smithsonian Magazine

Professor Rosalyn LaPier was interviewed about the cultural significance of Bison in Indigenous communities and the new exhibit "Bison Standing Strong."

Calendar

Kristen Wilson Allen
Alumni Spotlight

Kristen Wilson (2016)

Kristen's enthusiasm for research, public history and the digital humanities convinced her to pursue a career in museum studies and becoming Museum Coordinator of the Illinois Distributed Museum. As a History major, Kristen honed her research and writing skills and took advantage of multiple opportunities to pursue undergraduate research.