TAA member Joseph M. Godlewski is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Syracuse University and is both a textbook and academic author in the architecture writing discipline.

His most recent publication is Introduction to Architecture: Global Disciplinary Knowledge, published by Cognella in 2019.

What are you currently working on?
My textbook expands the repertoire of traditional Euro-American based theory anthologies by presenting texts from an explicitly global perspective. My academic writing continues this project by examining the architectural and urban history of southeast Nigeria.

Share a recent accomplishment.
In 2019 I received two awards for teaching- The Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award at Syracuse University and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)/American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) New Faculty Teaching Award. Writing a textbook clarified my teaching goals and made them more accessible to students.

What is your favorite textbook writing tip or strategy?
Reducing overly complex language can broaden your audience beyond a small field of “experts”. This is especially helpful for teaching new students not familiar with the specialized vocabulary in a discipline.

What is your best TAA experience so far?
I’m a new member so most of my experiences have come through the resources available through the TAA website. It’s exciting to see people discussing all of the issues I went through writing my first textbook. I wish I knew about this earlier in the process.