The reading habits, or perhaps abilities, of university students is often a topic of debate and discussion these days. Professors are wondering if the students are reading at all or as some would pose more provocatively, are they even able to really read. I too worry about this in the world of declining attention spans, dependence on smart phones, reliance on questionable internet content for information, and tools for quick summary generators. But I also wonder about the role of the professor in this moment.

In this debate on students and reading, when professors talk about the problem, by and large, they talk about students in social sciences and humanities, or at the very least, talk about courses in those subjects. As someone who teaches a general education class, and an engineering elective, I find that framing problematic. Why is it that we assume that reading is, or should, only be an expectation in humanities and social sciences? Why should science or engineering students not read deeply? Do........

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