Try again to get into the HTC.
But I get what you’re saying: if you’re interested in lively class discussions in the Humanities, you don’t want classes where students drag themselves to class without having done the reading.
First, today/tomorrow: Look for the Debate club, MUN, Philosophy club, French club (do they have a “French table” where people speak French?), Film club. Join a couple.
Second, for this Spring: register for a 300-level English class as well as a philosophy class (the smallest intro class where the professor has high ratings). See if you’d be allowed to take an Honors class from the business honors program, one with case studies or a communication focus. Beside these three classes, take two science classes and one “Independent Study” in science.
The HTC really does have a very limited number of seats. Something you might try would be to go to the chair of each of the programs that would interest you and see if as a non HTC student you might be able to take some of the classes an HTC student can take. It may not work but it can’t hurt to try. You might also ask them about courses you could take that would be more intellectually rigorous. Advisers are tasked with getting you through your degree and have to deal with hundreds of students. Perhaps a professor experienced in working with higher level students might have some suggestions. Just a thought. The link below lists the chairs of each of the programs.
https://www.ohio.edu/honors/future-students/programs/index.cfm
"You have years as a PhD student to find the rigor you feel you are seeking.
[quote/]
I’m afraid that since I’m doing a science-based PhD program, I won’t have a chance to add any humanities courses to my schedule. Do you think that’s a legitimate concern? I’m not sure how flexible postgrad academics are."
Never having been to a graduate school I don’t know how they handle courses outside your graduate field of study. Perhaps someone with a PhD could comment.
Examples of outstanding classes that I took at Ohio University with lively discussion and debates…
Espionage & History (Fascinating)
Linguistics-The Nature of Language
The History of Russia
The Communist Revolution
The Soviet Union
Comparative Politics
Russian Literature in Translation
International Relations
Major International Authors (In depth analysis of major works of literatur to Ingmar Bergman films , deeply intellectual)
Stuart England (fantastic discussions about witchcraft and culture suppression)
Law Enforcement
Today’s Soviet Union
Political Communication (this was a joint poli sci/journalism class and was absolutely fraught with intellectual debate) American Constitutional Law (superb)
Research in Comparative Government
Darwin Among Poets (lots of debate), UP. 451
The following University Professor Courses (topics selected by professors who had been award to teaching awards)
Gorbachev’s Soviet Union
USSR Literature & Culture
Current International Problems (This happened to be the same time as rhe collapse of the Soviet Union/Berlin Wall, WOW, fantastic discussions)
I also did two independant studies: one on eastern european history & politics and one journalism. Plus a semester abroad. Engaging with your peers and professors makes all the difference sometime YOU have to make the effort.
Re debate, logic, and rhetoric in science: Get yourself into a formal journal club. If there aren’t any for undergrads in your department, then join one that is run by grad students in your field of interest. Or start one yourself. You get to read both classic and cutting edge research, fight politely about the merits of the methodology, results, and conclusions discussed in those papers, and generally hone your intellectual skills. Here’s one link to help you begin: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/teach/journal/dissectingapaper3.php
Once you are in grad school, if you aren’t chained to the bench by your PI, there won’t be anything preventing you from crossing the campus and sitting in on seminars in other departments. Especially if you formally declare a minor in Philosophy of Science. So look for universities that offer that field of study as well as your intended PhD major.
You are reading the journals already. Are you in contact with the researchers who are doing work you are interested in? Transferring to one of their universities, or spending a summer/semester as an undergrad in their research team are definitely worth your investigation.
I would explore several avenues at your current school:
- Honors program (is there one, how do you qualify, is there honors housing0
- Residential community (are there dorms that populate with like minded students, interested in a similar cause,etc. Lots of colleges do that today - Healthy Living community where they are substance free, outdoorsy. you get the drift.)
- Study Abroad (Great Idea!)
- Faculty research (has to be available for the right type of students)
- Student clubs. Join one or two that speak to your passions. If there isn't one, START one.
- Discuss these concerns with your favorite professors (regardless of subject - they will want to help you find your place)
You seem like a wonderful student who is misplaced at Ohio University. Many posters here think college is just about your major. There could be and should be so much more. You should have the opportunity to develop your critical thinking skills at a much higher level than you are getting. It isn’t about just getting through. These are 4 precious years of your life and you shouldn’t have to waste them. You should look into transferring to a more suitable school. Probably Ohio State, but perhaps Miami. Look into their honors colleges and see if you can transfer directly in.
I mean if there are intellectual students in the Ohio public system, isn’t that where they would be?
Here are the instructions for transferring into the Ohio State Honors College
https://honors-scholars.osu.edu/honors/academics/transfer-students
Thanks for the things to consider, everyone! For those who asked about the Honors Tutorial College: I’ve spoken to their Dean many times. She’s become a great faculty resource and a friend, but they still cannot let me into HTC, though my grades qualify me and I’m a good fit for the program. HTC really does have everything I’m looking for, but, ironically, it’s even less available to me then other universities.
Finish your undergrad degree. There is no point in transferring with two years complete. No one will care where your undergrad degree came from anyway! I’m an OU grad with a BS in journalism. At my last job, I had the same title/position/responsibilities as a coworker who had a masters in journalism from Northwestern.
@austinmshauri says it perfectly: “Ohio University has 29,000 students, and you’re the only one who’s “interested in using their mind”? I think that’s statistically impossible. As long as you think you’re smarter than everyone else you’re going to find it difficult to be happy.” You seem like a snob and a whiner.
You are correct. While it is usually theoretically possible for PhD students to take courses in other departments, in practice that usually only happens if it’s related to your research in some way (e.g., an animal behavior student might take a class in neuroscience of equines or something like that). It would be unlikely that you’d get to routinely sit in on classes in humanities departments, and even if you did, you certainly wouldn’t study them in depth. I’m not saying it’s impossible; I’m just saying that with all of the other demands on a doctoral student’s time - all the things you have to do to professionalize - it’s unlikely you’ll have much time or brainspace to do this.
One exception to that would be if you did find a program that would allow you to minor or concentrate in philosophy of science, as someone else suggested.
Did you ever check out LACs in Ohio and neighboring states, such as Earlham, Centre College, College of Wooster, or Kenyon? They might have the kind of atmosphere you want. The challenge is likely to be the net costs. Try running the online net price calculators (although I’m not sure how accurate they are for transfers.) If your parents make under ~$100K/year, then with loans and work-study on top of what they’re giving you, you might be able to afford one of these schools. If it would be a big financial stretch, the change may not be worth it (and there might be downsides such as fewer available courses/majors).
You have nothing to lose by trying to transfer to Kenyon, Denison, Dickinson, or one of the NESCAC LACs. Or even UChicago if you want a huge jump in intellectual mindset.
In the meanwhile, hang out with the Honors students, join debate and the film club.
That’s why smart people go to medical school. Dr @Snakecatcher has a nice ring to it 
@Snakecatcher : how is it going? Any update?