Crime of the Centuries: The Weirdest Heists in History (Week-Long Camp)

In this class, we will investigate strange crimes from history, with an emphasis on understanding who committed them and why, how they were solved, and how they impacted the people around them. In the course of examining these strange crimes, we will use  evidence from the scene including photographs, descriptions, & short segments of witness testimony to not only get into the minds of the people who experienced these events, but also to understand the historical context surrounding them. 

Not only will students have the chance to learn some history commonly left out of most textbooks and classrooms, but they will develop critical thinking skills as we work to understand motives and methods behind these bizarre crimes! In each session, students will begin by investigating the "scene" of the crime and considering the basic facts of the case before making guesses about who did it and why. As we go forward, we will probe into the available historical evidence to make sense of some of history's oddest criminal activity.

Session 1: Makeup & a murder spree in renaissance Italy
Session 2: The Santa Claus bank robbery
Session 3: The Gardner Heist
Session 4: Rasputin - death of a Russian icon
Session 5: Vassilis Palaiokostas, the Robin Hood of modern Greece

One last note: for the safety of all of our students, and to ensure that I can work with each student effectively, I do require students have their cameras turned on and be visible at all times. Students who cannot comply will be moved to the waiting room.