Women's Studies Prize in Digital Media
First Prize $100
Second Prize $50
Minerva Island Is the Department of Women's Studies' teaching and research space in Second Life, a virtual world where people can create a figure (an avatar) to represent themselves, see and talk with other avatars, and participate in lectures, concerts and classes.
A first prize of $100 and a second prize of $50 will be given to the OSU undergraduate who creates the most convincing avatar representing a famous woman in history. The avatar will be judged on her knowledge of the life history she is representing and on her physical resemblance to the historical figure, as well as on her representation of the culture, dress and manners of the historical period.
Judging will take place during the third week of February 2008, and the final announcement will be made on March 8, International Women's Day. The contest is open to both female and male undegraduates at The Ohio State University who are over 18 years of age.
Get Started:
Check the systems requirements for Second Life to see if your computer is compatible (most recent computers work well with Second Life). Go to the Second Life website and create an account (it's free). Students whose personal computer cannot run the program, can also use the computer labs in the Journalism Building and in Baker systems.
Then, create your avatar! Use the Second Life appearance menu to make your avatar ressemble your historical figure, and choose appropriate period dress. No purchased clothing may be used. Use the link in the sidebar for information on building your Second Life skills, and check our Events page for tutorials on Minerva Island.
Enter the Contest:
(1) Submit a short typewritten description of your avatar ( 1 - 1 1/2 pages). Why did you choose this figure? Why do you think she stands out in women's history? You'll need to know some basic information about your historical figure (date of birth, achievements, affiliations, important historical events during her lifetime). Your description must end with this sentence: "I give permission for the display of my intellectual property for non-profit purposes on Minerva Island in Second Life." Please include your real-life and Second Life names, and sign your name at the bottom of the description.
(2) Submit your description either in person or by mail to Dr. Sharon Collingwood at The Department of Women's Studies, Ohio State University , 286 University Hall, 230 North Oval Mall, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1311. Please send an electronic copy of your description to collingwood.7@osu.edu (signature not necessary on electronic copy). The deadline for descriptions is February 16.
(3) Look up the interview times on the Minerva webpage, then send your first, second and third choice by e-mail to collingwood.7@osu.edu. Please put "Minerva contest" in the subject line.
Interviews in Second Life will begin on February 18, 2007. During the interview your avatar will be asked a few general questions about her life and times, and she will be evaluated on how convincingly she portrays the historical figure. Be sure you know something about the customs and social attitudes of your avatar's historical period. We'll finish by taking your avatar's picture for display on Minerva Island during the week of International Womens Day.
NOTE: Second Life is a 3-D version of the internet. Adult content may be visible in some areas. If you wish to avoid this, please stay on Minerva Island.