This document presents two resource units for studying the cultural diversity and unity of several countries. The unit was developed as part of a series by the Public Education Religion Studies Center. The resource units serve the religious components of broader cultural studies of the USSR and Japan. Three statements of rationale underlie the unit: (1) Diverse cultures develop as people try to meet their needs and solve their problems; (2) Culture is affected by the natural environment; (3) The diverse responses to meeting human needs and problems contain elements of commonality. The course is designed to increase student awareness of the diversity and commonality within human society by providing conceptual tools with which to analyze cultures. Inclusion of the religious dimension of culture is considered essential if the portrayal of the culture is to be accurate, since religion is the synthesis of world-view and life-style. The approach is interdisciplinary with the greatest cognitive emphasis on geography and cultural anthropology but including perspectives from sociology, history, and political science. Generalizations, concepts, subject matter, and vocabulary are presented. Both cognitive and affective objectives are stated, and initiatory, developmental, and culminating activities are described. The document concludes with evaluation suggestions and a thorough list of instructional materials. (Author/BC)