uwloo

PLAN 102Professional Communication

Units
0.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Planning

Not in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Shown as it appeared in 2025–26.

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This is a practical introduction to written communications and oral presentations as they are used specifically in the Planning profession. Report writing, correspondence and interaction with the news media are among the forms of communication considered. Students complete both written and oral assignments. Considerable critical comment is provided on assignment content as well as on technical aspects such as style and grammar.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

40% liked it69% easy50% useful

From 134 ratings and 24 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This course was so useless, don't buy the textbook you won't use it again.

    Jul 2015 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Only thing good about this course is that if you get more than 65%, you don't have to take ELPE. Marking was often biased by the TAs and you would have to speak with the prof.

    Jul 2015 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • There is no point in taking this course. It teaches topics and concepts that you are forced to believe, the assignments are marked way too harshly for a first year course, and I don't see myself using any material learned in this class elsewhere... If i learned anything at all. IF you are looking for a bird course, there are better you can find. Would not recommend.

    Nov 2020 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • take math and physics instead. It is better to take a test than taking this non-substantial course which costs me tuition and an elective slot

    Oct 2016 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • very difficult marking scheme, know the english language or don't take this course. Bias TA marking is evident.

    Nov 2015 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

10 posts and comments in 7 threads mention PLAN 102, December 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2024

PLAN102 if i suck at writing and public speaking? 8 points, 5 comments

u/Objective-Variety843: “how difficult is it to get an 80+ average in PLAN102 if i suck at stylistic writing and public speaking? is PLAN102 more difficult than ENGL109? What should I expect in PLAN102? Does anyone have a course outline for it? Is there a design component to it? …”

u/markleestan: “Never took ENGL109 so not sure on that. There’s no design component to it? I think they just made it sound fancy- but meant it as creative, design thinking and interpretation writing. …”

u/markleestan: “… Like everyone seemed to do well in this course- where as for ENVS 195 I would overhear people in my PLAN 102 tutorial talking about how they dropped 195 and they were instead gonna take it in the spring term cause they were failing.”

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Fall 2023

Is this fair? 54 points, 29 comments

“Hello folks, I got an email saying that my assignment was 10% AI by Turnitin and that my case was sent to the Dean. …”

u/cytrinite: “I got the same email but with 5%, I think we both know which class this is 😭”

u/cytrinite: “I'm doing that one research assistant stuff our other professor offered for PLAN 102, so I might ask her for what her thoughts are on Monday when I see her. She does seem to care about students, so I assume she might have some idea as to what could be done. …”

u/Desertpoet: “Myself and someone else already emailed the PLAN 102 Professor. She didn’t really help much other than telling us that the accusing teacher is asking us to write the document. You could try telling her in-person though. …”

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Winter 2023

How is Planning? 4 points, 7 comments

“Hi! I'm thinking about going into the planning program but I'm wondering how math and science extensive the program is generally. …”

u/gingham_cat: “… PLAN 102: This year it was a bird course. Focus on grammar and style in writing, with two papers and a final group presentation. PLAN 104: Weekly readings and three papers about current issues/topics in planning. …”

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Spring 2019

Planning Co-op or Math Reg? 0 points, 8 comments

“I'm having a hard time choosing between these two programs. I find both program equally interesting, it's just the co-op and future prospect that's making me an indecisive lil bitch. …”

u/perkornah: “I’m in planning co-op and am really enjoying it so far. I’ve heard the first co-op is hard to get but it’s doable if you’re passionate and interview well. …”

u/perkornah: “… The core courses in 1A were PLAN 105, 104, ENVS 195, PLAN 100, and PLAN 102. In 1B they were PLAN 110, ENVS 178, PLAN 105, and two electives. They are all very theoretical but we had a lot of hands on work. …”

u/-MrGoose-: “Courses mentioned in this thread: ENVS178 ENVS195 PLAN100 PLAN102 PLAN104 PLAN105”

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Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… PHYS 704 PHYS 709 PHYS 767 PHYS 768 PHYS 771 PHYS 777 PHYS 781 PHYS 786 PHYS 788 PLAN 100 PLAN 102 PLAN 104 PLAN 105 PLAN 210 PLAN 262 PLAN 281 PLAN 300 PLAN 309 PLAN 320 PLAN 340 PLAN 351 PLAN 362 PLAN 387 PLAN 418 PLAN 451 PLAN 453 PLAN 474 PLAN 485 PLAN 490 PLAN 615 PLAN 619 …”

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Fall 2015

Fall 2011

PSA: DON'T TAKE PLAN 102! 6 points, 10 comments

u/YoannasWorld: “I cannot comprehend why the Faculty of Environment would make PLAN 102 a mandatory course for all planning students. This is primarily for two reasons: 1. It has nothing to do with planning. 2. It is at the 9th grade level, in terms of content. …”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar