1. A Game of Social Justice

6. Why Trifles? Using a rich literary text allows us to emphasize the intersection of theory, knowledge production and material history and leverages skills associated with literary studies to teach students how to convert details into facts and finally into key pieces of evidence.

7. Technical Dimensions “The project will involve creating a virtual world in which users can explore the setting and events depicted in Susan Glaspell’s play Trifles. The virtual setting would be three-dimensional and would allow interaction in the form of an educational video game. Users should be given the ability to navigate the crime scene, interact with witnesses, and investigate various aspects of the murder. The town may also be able to be explored in a more general “free-exploration mode” to simply explore and learn about the town and its events.” –as described by Bobby Frankenberger in the Problem/Vision Statement

9. Finding Synergies: Weaving historical elements into conception, design and structure Glaspell was a young reporter and covered this case, later transforming the story into Trifles, a play and “A Jury of her Peers.” Our “player” is an investigative reporter who arrives at the scene along with law enforcement and others concerned with the case.

14. The Website

16. John Hossack’s land. New Virginia, Iowa. Fall 2012.

17. Original stairs leading up to the courtroom at the Madison County Courthouse, Winterset, Iowa. This is the courthouse where Margaret Hossack was acquitted.

18. The Website Currently, we have three categories of information on the website: The Place The People The Law

19. “The Place” As It Was Around 1900 Maps of Iowa and Warren County circa 1900 Population Data Crop Reports

20. “The Place” As It Stands Today Site of John Hossack’s house. New Virginia, Iowa.

21. “The People” Collaboration with Living History Farms Images from the 1900s Iowa Farm. Living History Farms, Urbandale, Iowa.

22. “Archival Material” The manual rocking scrub board, c.1885. Doctor’s medical bag. Stove.

23. “Archival Material” (cont.) Party line telephone. Roller towel. Fireplace and Rocking Chair.

24. “The Law” Legal Documents Transcripts of Margaret Hossack’s testimony.

25. Exhibits entered into evidence at Margaret Hossack’s trial.

26. Game Leverages The Power of Literary Language: Helps students appreciate and understand the subtle thematic elements of a work of literature. Critical Thinking: Students will develop skills to move “factual details” into “evidence.” Interdisciplinary Focus: The actual criminal case, which the play is based on, has ties to many different fields, such as sociology, criminal justice, history, and more. The Power of Literary Language: Helps students appreciate and understand the subtle thematic elements of a work of literature. Critical Thinking: Students will develop skills to move “factual details” into “evidence.” Interdisciplinary Focus: The actual criminal case, which the play is based on, has ties to many different fields, such as sociology, criminal justice, history, and more.

27. Institutional Support NEH-sponsored two-week Collaboratory during Summer 2012 University of Illinois-Urbana University of South Carolina WSU Libraries

28. On the Humanities side: Sarah Waddle, PhD Anne Socorras, DMACC Honors Student Randi Nelson, DMACC Honors Student Danielle DeDoncker, DMACC Honors Student Augusta Rohrbach, PhD David Tagnani, PhD candidate, WSU Sarah Waddle, PhD Anne Socorras, DMACC Honors Student Randi Nelson, DMACC Honors Student Danielle DeDoncker, DMACC Honors Student Augusta Rohrbach, PhD David Tagnani, PhD candidate, WSU

29. On the Computer Science side: Dr. JiJunTang, PhD (advisor) David Cocke(team leader) Robert Frankenberger Miguel Contreras Gregory Wallace Johnathan Benton Andrew Neelands Dr. JiJunTang, PhD (advisor) David Cocke(team leader) Robert Frankenberger Miguel Contreras Gregory Wallace Johnathan Benton Andrew Neelands

30. Thank you! Contact info: AugustaRohrbach@gmail.com @DigitalEmerson stwaddle@dmacc.edu