This course aims to provide students a comprehensive insight about Russian history. Starting from the late 9th century, the course examines the last millennia from an analytical comparative perspective. Looking at the very basics of Russian political culture, the course aims to provide an idea about the politics, international affairs and political economy of Russian history. The course is divided into four parts. After an introductory examination of early periods of Kievan Rus, in the second part we will focus on Imperial Russia. Looking at the very reasons of the fall of Russian Empire the characteristics of the Soviet Union will be analyzed. In the last part, the course aims to focus on contemporary Russian history.