Bad Grammar 'Til the Cows Come Home

Nancy S. sends us this invitation to earn an online diploma in "Ag Communications." She has taken the time to correct some errors, but missed one. It's not Ag Communications. It's AUUUUUUUUGHHHHH!

The University of Guelph
Offers a New Virtual
Diploma in Ag Communications

The Office of Open Learning and the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) are excited to offer a diploma in ag communications. This unique program is the first of its kind in Canada and is looking for individuals such as yourself to fill the first class. [SPOGG note: We DETEST "individuals" as a synonym for people. It's unnecessarily specific, unless they're purposely trying to exclude conjoined twins and person with multiple-personality syndrome, which seems rather mean.]

This 18-month, five-course program combines technical skills and applied theory in journalism and communications, with a focus on issues specific to the agri-food and environmental sectors. Graduates will be able to present and represent agriculture and food production in an understandable, balanced way.

The development of this new program was overseen by an advisory committee with representatives from media, the agri-food sector and academe. An international panel of instructors and coaches will lead students through a series of online distance learning components. These classes will be amplified by three on-campus sessions each approximately one-week long. By being web-based, the program looks forward to bringing together students and teaching professionals from all over the world. (Does the “program” look forward to doing this or do the program planners look forward to doing this?)

“We’ve designed the program to be accessible and flexible, to fit the schedules of working professionals”, says Owen Roberts, the program’s academic coordinator.

Graduates will be prepared to immediately participate in media or agricultural organizations and industry as valuable, analytical, trained employees. They will find their selves (AAAAAAHHHHHGGGHHHH!!!) to be well versed in agricultural production and issues, as well as equipped with strong communication skills, and up-to-date on the latest technology.

Support for this program has been provided by a number of industry partners including Ontario Pork, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, GROWMARK Inc., and the Agricultural Adaptation Council.

Applications are being accepted now for the first year’s program which begins this September and already has an eager group ready to begin.