New course from the University of Michigan and exclusive course collections explore themes from the upcoming Disney and Pixar movie, Soul

Stephanie Hale, Director of Brand, Coursera

During times of change and uncertainty, we find joy and purpose in the world around us—in the moments that reveal the beauty of the human spirit. Time and again, Disney and Pixar have lifted us with stories of possibility. Today, Coursera is thrilled to team up with these two iconic brands to celebrate their upcoming movie Soul and to encourage learners to explore their passions, achieve new goals, and fulfill their dreams and ambitions.

Soul is the story of Joe Gardner, a man who will travel from the streets of New York City to worlds we’ve only imagined. Along his fantastical journey, he’ll discover the answer to one of life’s biggest questions: What makes you you?

The story of Soul resonates deeply with us. Everything we do at Coursera is dedicated to helping learners pursue their dreams and live a life that’s meaningful to them. We’re excited to announce a new course from the University of Michigan that explores themes from the movie and honors the celebration of life that Soul embodies.

In Brilliant, Passionate You, learners explore concepts of success and how to live with purpose. They learn to navigate challenges and discover new ways to make every day the best day of their lives. The course includes stories from students, doctors, teachers, professional athletes, and storytellers—each sharing their journeys, inspirations, and the steps they’ve taken to infuse each day with meaning. Imagery from Soul will be featured in the course until January 2021.

“Finding purpose and passion is fundamental to both learning and to living,” said James DeVaney, Associate Vice Provost and the founding director of U-M’s Center for Academic Innovation, which developed the course. “So many of us grew up learning more about the world and ourselves from Disney and Pixar films. Soul’s characters and themes capture so much of what this new course is about, and that is one of the reasons we are so excited to share it with learners around the world.”

Coursera has also curated themed collections to help learners discover their passions. From courses that focus on pursuing creative interests to fostering personal and professional development, these exclusive collections offer the opportunity to embark upon personalized learning journeys. Within these collections, learners will find courses and Specializations such as The Science of Well-Being from Yale University, The DIY Musician from Berklee College of Music, Achieving Personal and Professional Success from the University of Pennsylvania, and Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most from the University of Michigan.

We’re honored to collaborate with Disney and Pixar and we’re excited for learners inspired by Soul and our courses to discover more ways to live a life of passion and purpose.

Learn more about our collaboration and campaign. Disney and Pixar’s Soul will be available exclusively on Disney+ beginning Dec. 25, 2020.