The article analyzed the initial experience of elaboration and introduction of a new subject of higher education, i. e. ‘Principles of Russian State System’ The authors assessed the role of the subject in developing new public relations based on traditional values of Russia, which requires mobilization of intellectual, organizational and other resources, including those in the system of education. The content of the subject based on civilization approach was presented and methodological approaches used for preparing and conducting classes were demonstrated. The authors analyzed specific features of carrying out such lessons in the Russian Plekhanov University of Economics, which allow us to focus attention on traditional values and principles of Russia being a state-civilization. It was shown that peoples of Russia for more than thousand years could create and maintain independently the state system, formulate models of social behavior and principles of world order meeting contemporary challenges.