The TV show Quantum Leap, starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell, can be used as an aid in teaching history or sociology or human rights. Over the five seasons of Quantum Leap, a number of episodes aired which have value as teaching aids. Here are some brief synopsizes of a selection of useful episodes.
Quantum Leap and War
The Americanization of Machiko, Season Two: In this episode Sam leaps into Charles Lee McKenzie, a man who just returned home in 1953 after being stationed in Japan for two years. Charles has married a Japanese woman and brought her home to his family. This episode deals with prejudices in the aftermath of WWII.
The Leap Home, Part II-Vietnam, Season Three: This is the only episode in which Sam leaps outside the United States. He is an American soldier in Vietnam in 1970. This episode vividly depicts the experiences of soldiers and journalists in the Vietnam war.
The Leap Between States, Season Five: Sam somehow leaps further back into the past than usual and ends up in 1862, during the Civil War. He is a soldier of the Union army. This episode is based in the south and so shows details of what the war was like for the people who lived there, and also includes the underground railroad.
Quantum Leap and Human Rights
Jimmy, Season Two: Sam leaps into Jimmy, an intellectually handicapped man who was recently released from a mental institution in 1964. This episode delves into the rights of the intellectually handicapped, as well as the prejudices they face, and it also mentions the difficulties faced by people with dyslexia.
Freedom, Season Two: Sam leaps into a young Native American in 1970 who is trying to help his grandfather reach their reservation so he can die in peace, on his own land. This episode deals with the rights and customs of Native Americans.
Running for Honor, Season Four: Sam leaps into Tommy, a young navel cadet who must prevent his roommate from being killed by an anti-gay gang in 1964. This episode deals extensively with prejudice against homosexuals, particularly in relation to the military.
Liberation, Season Five: Sam leaps into a housewife in 1968 whose daughter is involved in the women's liberation movement. Not only does this episode deal with women’s lib, it also expounds upon the merits of non-violent versus violent protest.
Quantum Leap is a very useful way to involve a student in the study of social studies or history. Quantum Leap has also dealt extensively with the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Here is an article detailing several episodes with Civil Rights themes, as well as a synopsis of the show itself and its rating.
Rachel Sawaya - Rachel Sawaya is a freelance writer from New Zealand (who also has US citizenship), and currently lives in Auckland, the big smoke of New ...
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