History Department Professor Joe Dennis speaks in front of a room with students on the first day of the fall semester 2026 in the newly opened Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall. (Photo Credit: Althea Dotzour / UW-Madison)

One month in Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall, students, faculty, and staff are settling into History’s new home. Read more here!

Welcome! Building on more than a century of distinguished scholarship and teaching, our faculty and staff serve over 400 undergraduate majors and nearly 250 certificate students, along with many other students passionate about history. We are also home to a vibrant community of more than 100 graduate students in both History and the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology.

Wisconsin 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.

Faculty Bookshelf

Listing of books written or edited by current History Department faculty.

History Newsletter 2025-26 cover image

The 2025-26 History Department newsletter, “The Past In The Present” is available now!

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.

The History Lab

Attention Students! Let us help you with your paper or research project, no matter your stage in the process.

Aeroplane view of University of Wisconsin – Madison

Highlights benchmarks in the department’s institutional history and key changes in its curriculum, faculty, and students.