This handbook was designed to help students learn the cultural contexts in which human rights are variously defined. It provides a comparative study of five nations, selected for their geographic and cultural scope, as a unique way to study human rights. Chapter 1 sets the stage for the study by presenting activities for establishing class objectives and examining the definition of human rights. Chapter 2 contains 90 readings from the five countries. These materials were selected for their value in illustrating the human rights situation in the five countries. International documents are included in chapter 2 which broaden the knowledge and understanding of human rights, such as "The Helsinki Agreement." Chapter 3 presents different activities and instructional strategies for presentation of the materials. Activities are included for different grade levels. Chapter 4 is the evaluation component in which an attitudinal questionnaire is administered to students to assess the effect of the unit on their attitudes. Bibliographies are included for elementary and secondary students. (SM)