Courses on history and literature.
Online courses
Ruling Russia
Seven centuries. Seven rulers. The lives and times of some of Russia’s must consequential leaders—from Ivan the Great to Putin the First. Learn about the past to understand the world today.
How to Succeed in College
A practical guide for anyone who wants to get the most out of college starting from day one. Don’t just survive college, succeed in it!
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Dostoevsky and His World
A fateful generation. An exceptional novelist. A series on Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and the Russian Empire in which it was written.
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“The best part about this course was how unique each class was…. Every time Dr. Rainbow walked into the classroom, we would always be given a new challenge in a way we never expected. It put us on the spot, and made us think critically and in the moment about the texts we were reading.” Course evaluation, University of Houston, 2019
Additional courses taught
Russian Empire
High born and humble, famous and obscure, men and women, endearing and ferocious – colorful characters from Russia’s past bring six centuries of Russia to life.
The Human Situation
Close readings of classic texts from antiquity to the present. Epic poetry, philosophy, scripture, history, political theory, and literature. A yearlong freshman seminar.
Russian History through Literature
Works by Gogol, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Bely and Bulgakov. Novelists as guides through modern Russia.
“Dr. Rainbow is easily one of the best professors the University of Houston has to offer. An intelligent, effective, engaging individual who pushes you to truly understanding the material he is teaching. This professor seems to teach for simply the joy of teaching.” Course evaluation, University of Houston, 2019
Pick Your Putin: Russia in the Shadow of the Past
Nostalgic Communist? Tsar? Stern-faced judo master with a penchant for bare-chested photo ops? Which one is it? History that makes sense of Russia today and a wildly popular president.
Ideology: A History
What is ideology? A filter on your mind that obscures reality? Or a productive tool for transforming the world? An intellectual history of the concept of ideology. Major theorists and debates from the Enlightenment to the present.
Russian Revolution
The 1917 Revolution marked the end of a centuries-long dynasty and the birth of the world’s first-ever socialist state. Witness the war, hope, carnage and utopia that permanently changed the world.
“This is the class that I hoped to be taking in college. Not only did it better me as a student, but it was interesting and well taught. Any class by Professor Rainbow is well worth taking!” ratemyprofessor.com, 2016
Forced Exile in World History
Forcing people from home is an ancient practice. Modern states have perfected it. The history of exile from the founding of New South Wales (Australia) to French Guiana’s Devil’s Island.
History of Energy in Eurasia
Caspian oil booms, Soviet nuclear power plants, and drilling in the Arctic. Consider the political, environmental, and technological history of how Eurasia became an energy powerhouse.
European Intellectual History
Readings in 19th and 20th century literature and philosophy. Consider for yourself some of the transformative ideas that shaped the modern world.
“Fabulous job, and one of the best history professors I've had yet. I wish I could take all my history classes from him.” Course evaluation, New York University, 2012
