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77732-01 - Seminar: Contemporary Debates in Bioethics: Ethics of Loneliness and Social Connection (2 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Hannah Assunta Bolt (hannah.bolt@unibas.ch)
Bernice Simone Elger (b.elger@unibas.ch, Assessor) Annika Luisa Rohrmoser (annika.rohrmoser@unibas.ch) |
| Content | Loneliness, the aversely experienced disparity between desired and existing social connections, is a pressing global health challenge. Distinct from social isolation, the objective lack of social connections, loneliness, is linked to poor mental health and higher all-cause mortality. Numerous interventions have been designed to reduce loneliness at an individual level, yet their population-level impact remains limited. While individuals affected by marginalization and discrimination are disproportionately affected by loneliness, they are not commonly centered in research. This exclusion raises ethical questions of justice and representation. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a magnifying glass, intensifying existing social inequalities and bringing loneliness into sharper public health focus. As a result, loneliness and social connection have become urgent topics for ethical and interdisciplinary inquiry. |
| Learning objectives | In this seminar, we will explore loneliness from an interdisciplinary perspective, engaging with ethical perspectives, psychological mechanisms, sociological processes, and more. The goal of the lecture is for students to learn about, understand and to reflect on several of the contemporary ethical and practical issues regarding loneliness and social connection, both in Switzerland and globally. These include autonomy, resource allocation, public health and prevention programs, intercultural competence, and economic considerations. |
| Comments | Mondays, 12:15 – 13:45 First seminar session on 02.03.2026, no seminar on 06.04. (easter), final session on 11.05.2026 |
| Admission requirements | If you have any questions concerning the format, the learning objectives, or your participation, please do not hesitate to contact Hannah Bolt or Annika Rohrmoser via Email. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 02.03.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 09.03.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 16.03.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 23.03.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 30.03.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 06.04.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | Ostern |
| Monday 13.04.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 20.04.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 27.04.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 04.05.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Monday 11.05.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | USB Gebäude B, Hörsaal 3 |
| Modules |
Aufbaumodul (Teil C) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Basismodul (Teil A) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Doctorate Biomedical Ethics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biomedical Ethics (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Doctorate Nursing Science: Recommendations (PhD subject: Nursing Science (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Electives Master Nursing: Recommendations (Master's Studies: Nursing) Module: Practical Philosophy (Master's degree subject: Philosophy) Specialization Module Global Europe: Global Ageing and Health (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The seminar is graded as “pass” or “fail.” To receive a “pass” students are expected to: 1. Attend at least 80% of the sessions and participate actively. o University of Basel students: Attend in person; online participation permitted up to 2 times. o EUCOR students: Online participation permitted for all sessions. 2. Prepare for each session by reading the suggested texts (uploaded on ADAM) and submitting a short preparatory discussion question before 80% of the sessions. 3. Develop an plan for an intervention to prevent or reduce loneliness (potentially in groups). Further information will be given at the first session. No possibility to repeat graded submissions; active participation and timely submissions are required for a pass. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: teaching staff |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Medicine |
| Offered by | Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik |