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PLAN 246Tools for Public Participation

Units
0.50
Faculty
Environment
Subject
Planning

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: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course develops students' skills in the design and facilitation of public participation processes. It explores a range of community engagement tools that can be used in large and small group settings, as well as options for online engagement, focusing on how to make sensible choices between the different tools. The course also considers how planners can create inclusive public participation processes and settings. Students will be introduced to the techniques for analyzing the community feedback received during an engagement process, with a specific focus on the methods of qualitative analysis.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Students must be in level 2A or higher
    • Enrolled in H-Planning

Antirequisites

  • Not completed any of the following:

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00172710 / 220M 10:00–11:20
LEC 7018266158 / 9999Online or by arrangement
TUT 10172720 / 28F 08:30–09:50
TUT 10272730 / 28F 16:00–17:20
TUT 10372740 / 28F 14:30–15:50
TUT 10472750 / 28T 13:00–14:20
TUT 10572760 / 28Th 13:00–14:20
TUT 10672770 / 28T 14:30–15:50
TUT 10772780 / 26W 16:00–17:20
TUT 10872790 / 26F 13:00–14:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

100% liked it75% easy94% useful

From 5 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • This class was very fun and enjoyable. The tutorials were especially engaging and interactive. The readings, assignments, and exams were very easy and straightforward, making this a low stress course overall.
    The tutorials were extremely engaging and fun. There was a strong emphasis on participation, role playing, and in class activities, along with regular readings and discussion. One downside is that some activities require attending public meetings or open houses. While these experiences are interesting, they can be difficult to schedule if you have a very busy schedule, so planning is essential.

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course was great! The lecture times were short, so we were in and out of there like a Tim Horton's drive-through. The guest speakers were boring at times, but that's no fault of Dr. Dean's. I think I have a pretty comprehensive knowledge of public participation in planning after taking this course, and I think I'll keep many of the concepts in my career to come. In addition, the tutorial activities were pretty engaging, and I liked how we got to experience public participation activities firsthand. The mandatory public meetings for our papers were also pretty cool. This course got me excited about planning and my future career! Yay!

    Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Fun! Tutorials let you play with course concepts and assignments get you into the real world. prof Dean is very clear and has very legible lectures that are straight forward when it comes to studying. Thank you Dean.

    Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Great class to take. Lecture content was easy to follow, and tutorial sections were extremely helpful. Students had to attend two public meetings for two assignments, which really got you thinking and reinforced course concepts. A couple guest lectures that were quite interesting to listen to as well.

    Nov 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

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