The Department of History office is once again open. By order of the Chancellor, masks are currently required when inside all campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status. For more information about the UW-Madison’s COVID-19 response, visit this page.
Welcome! Building on more than a century of distinguished scholarship and teaching, our faculty and staff serve over 400 undergraduate majors along with many other students passionate about history. We are also home to a vibrant community of some 130 graduate students in both History and the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology.
A New Home for History
The new College of Letters & Science academic building will create a unified home for the Department of History and nine other L&S academic departments, programs and centers that currently are spread across eight facilities on campus. Read more…
Spring 2022 Courses
Spring 2022 History & History of Science courses are now available to view online. Explore our Courses page and Course Search & Enroll to find out more.
Statement of Commitment
Statement of Commitment to Eradicating White Supremacy, Institutional Racism, and Anti-Black Violence. We draft this statement of solidarity keenly aware that our own institution has to play a role in this quest for meaningful change. Statement of Commitment
Department News
In Memoriam: Alumnus R. Richard “Dick” Wagner
In Memoriam: Alumnus R. Richard “Dick” Wagner The Department of History is sad to share the news that one of our alums, R. Richard “Dick” Wagner (PhD, 1971) passed away unexpectedly on December 12, 2021 …
In Memoriam: Alumnus Tyler Stovall
The Department of History is saddened to note the passing of alumnus Tyler Stovall (PhD, 1984). Dr. Stovall studied with Harvey Goldberg at UW-Madison and became a distinguished historian of modern France with a particular …
Professor Judd Kinzley Publishes Article in Wisconsin Magazine of History
Congratulations to Professor Judd Kinzley, who has a new article published in the most recent issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History. “The Ghosts of Science Hall: The Chinese Geologists of the University of Wisconsin” …
Professor Gloria Whiting Wins Prize for Best Article in American Legal History
Professor Gloria Whiting has received the Cromwell Prize from the American Society for Legal History for her article, “Race, Slavery, and the Problem of Numbers in Early New England: A View from Probate Court.” This …
Professor Alfred McCoy Publishes New Book
Congratulations to Professor Alfred McCoy on the publication of his new book, To Govern the Globe: World Orders and Catastrophic Change, out this month from Haymarket Books. From the publisher’s website: “In a tempestuous narrative …
Professor Lucas Richert Publishes New Book on the Global History of Cannabis
Lucas Richert, Associate Professor and George Urdang Chair in the History of Pharmacy and History Department faculty affiliate, has published a new book titled Cannabis: Global Histories (MIT Press, 2021). The book, co-edited by Lucas Richert …
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Madison History Club
The Madison History Club brings UW–Madison alumni together with people across Madison who are curious about the past and eager to learn and discuss history with others.
The History Lab
Attention Students! Let us help you with your paper or research project, no matter your stage in the process.
Department Newsletter
Chair’s Welcome, History Welcomes New Members, Interpreting 2020, The Joy of Learning, New Club and Podcast, Faculty/Staff/Emeritus News, and more.
Courses
The History Department offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate courses under two subject headings: HISTORY and HISTORY OF SCIENCE. Many of our undergraduate courses are open to Senior Guest Auditors.
Faculty Bookshelf
Listing of books written or edited by current History Department faculty.
The History of The History Department
Highlights benchmarks in the department’s institutional history and key changes in its curriculum, faculty, and students.