Quarter(s): 1

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 12

What happened to entire civilizations? How can cities just disappear? Could we still be ignoring clues?

Students will investigate some of history's greatest unsolved disappearances, including Atlantis, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and the Sea Peoples.

Students will analyze timelines, examine historical accounts and discoveries, and evaluate evidence to weigh competing theories behind each mystery. Through guided discussion and intriguing lectures, they will use critical thinking to distinguish credible explanations from speculation, determining for themselves what might have happened and why these mysteries continue to endure.

Topics in this series include: Lost Worlds (Quarter 1), Unexplained Encounters (Quarter 2), Conspiracies & Cover-Ups (Quarter 3), and Gadgets and Guesswork (Quarter 4).

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 12

Why did Catholics canonize a computer-savvy teenager, what are so-called "bird priests," and why do some Orthodox Christians claim to conceal the Ark of the Covenant? If questions like these spark your curiosity, you are ready to explore the fascinating world of global religions.

In this deeply philosophical course, we'll dive into the major religious traditions that shape civilizations around the globe. Students will examine faiths such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Shintoism, and a range of mysterious, ancient cults and beliefs. The class will consider the rituals, tenets, and distinctive creeds of each tradition.

Students can expect to learn through engaging visuals (such as maps, architecture, and wardrobe), provoking discussion, and music (such as hymns and hauntingly beautiful chants). Respectful participation is key and sense of intrigue is required.

Your instructor brings both academic depth and lived experience to the classroom. With two degrees in history and extensive field experience in world religions- including five years teaching Catholic education, three years as a historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and even officiating weddings for a Druid community- Ms Megale offers a unique and welcoming perspective on the world's belief systems.

Workload: Students will receive optional reading suggestions to supplement their learning. Lecture based with occasional group activities.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a partial credit in history/humanities for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 10

Perhaps you have heard that ,"Knowing is half the battle." This class will examine the roles of military intelligence and espionage in conflicts. A fundamental goal of military intelligence is to fight smarter, not harder, on the battlefield. For context and inspiration, the class will examine the history of the real spies of WWII, their methods, failures, and successes. First semester will examine the early Pacific theater of World War II from 1941 - 1943, as tensions erupted into full-scale conflict following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Intelligence gaps, surprise offensives, and rapid territorial gains left Allied forces scrambling to respond to the expanding reach of the Japanese Empire. In the months that followed, critical battles across island chains and open seas tested strategy, communication, and resolve. This is where first semester will begin and the roles students will play. The mission, should students choose to accept it, is to use actual enigma codes and a modified tabletop RPG (role playing game) system to simulate missions, write encoded messages, and attempt to crack the enemy's plan. While Compass's 3D History classes will simulate the battles in the field, this class will assume the supporting role by attempting to infiltrate Japanese-held territories with field agents. War Room students in the "headquarters" will direct both their field agents and the missions of the frontline troops in 3D History. The decisions of War Room students will affect the play of 3D History students, and outcomes of the 3D History role play will dictate the work of the War Room the following Monday. While co-registration in both classes is not required, some students may want to dual register in order to see both the tactical and strategic aspects of a major engagement and how military intelligence affects the outcomes. This course is recommended for teens who have a passion for military history or an interest in a future career in intelligence. Topics in this Series: Pacific Peril (Semester 1) and The Pacific Push (Semester 2). Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hour per week outside of class. Assignments: Course documents including period maps, photographs and recreations will be made available through a class Google Drive link emailed to parents and students, as well as a class YouTube playlist for any videos watched in class or assigned as homework. Assessments: Will not be given. Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in World History, US History, Military History, or Career Exploration for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 10

Why read about key military battles on maps or in books when you can learn about them hands-on, in three dimensions, using historical miniature gaming? In 3D History, pivotal engagements come to life for new and experienced students, as they navigate a table-top terrain, deploy hundreds of miniature soldiers, ships, and tanks... all while playing a military strategy game. Each student will have the opportunity to fight a battle from both sides, allowing them to test various strategies, try multiple scenarios, predict different outcomes, and rewrite history- an effective way to gain a deeper understanding of what actually happened and why!

With war raging on in Europe for several years, it was only a matter of time until the rest of the world was dragged in. Lines were being drawn, among them was the "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere '' which sought to "liberate" Asia from the imperial powers of the West. This "liberation" replaced Western exploitation with more of the same from a surging fascist Japanese Empire. Led by a "divine" emperor, it amounted to military dictatorship that controlled every aspect of Japanese life in an effort to further its conquests across oceans. The nation that would bear the brunt of this brutal colonialism was China, where Japan had been fighting since 1937, dominating the coastal cities with sea and air power and taking advantage of the fractured state the country had been left in after decades of western exploitation. To maintain a world class military, especially her navy, Japan needed the resources of the Chinese and Korean mainland. After numerous atrocities, Japan's largest trade partner, the United States of America, delivered an ultimatum: Leave China or face an embargo on critical resources like oil and steel. This was the push Japan needed to put into effect its war plans with the Allied Nations. Beginning with a sneak attack to cripple the US fleet in Pearl Harbor, the oil rich Dutch East Indies, US territory of the Philippines, and several major British Imperial holdings in the South Pacific would all be swept away by the rising tide of the Japanese Empire.

Students will fight the early battles of the Pacific theater on land, sea, and air using a wide range of miniature soldiers, vehicles and ships. From massive naval action at Pearl Harbor and Midway to jungle and island-hopping combat reenactments, students will study the technical and strategic elements that led to the outcomes of the battle and attempt to recreate the Japanese or Allied successes (or failures.) Upon finishing this semester, every student will understand the conditions that led to war, the objectives for both sides and how successful or realistic these objectives were, both from a modern academic point of view and from the historical point of view given each country's available information. The students' simulations will follow a modified version of the Axis and Allies war at sea system. They will also examine primary sources, newsreels, propaganda material, and modern analyses of the events.

Note: This is a 1 hour, 55 minute class with a 10-minute break part way through.

Topics in this Series: Rising Sun & Sudden Strikes- Early Pacific (Semester 1) and Final Push & Pacific Fall- Late Pacific (Semester 2).

Workload: Students should expect to spend 0-1 hours per week outside of class.

Assignments: Period maps, photographs, and re-creations will be posted on a class Google Drive, and video links from YouTube will be e-mailed to parents and students for homework or supplemental investigation.

Assessments: Will not be given.

Credit: Homeschool families may wish to count this course as a component (partial) credit in History for purposes of a high school transcript.

Quarter(s): 1,2,3,4

Day(s): Mon

Open Spots: 1

This is a place-holder for the Human Geograpy lecture. Students should register for the Human Geography Seminar, which will automatically enroll them in both sections. A physical meeting room will be designated for on-campus students who have classes immediately before or after this virtual session.