Prof IGP Gous

Qualifications

• BA (Cum Laude) 1977 (Greek, Hebrew, Psychology) University of Pretoria
• BA (HONS) 1979 (Greek, Hebrew) University of Pretoria
• BD (Cum Laude) 1980 University of Pretoria
• DTh (Old Testament) 1988 University of South Africa

Fields of academic interests

• Understanding how understanding works: Mind, Brain and the Bible Sciences. The Bible Sciences are inherently multi-disciplinary – making use of the insights of various disciplines to understand languages, literature, history, archaeology. Understanding how we understand is no different, and understanding the organ of understanding, namely the brain and its mind, is crucial to make sense of how and why we interpret the Bible and other texts in the ways we do.

• Understanding effective learning: Self-knowledge; Focus, Listening Skills; Reading Skills; Memorising Skills; Exam writing Skills; and Creating Skills. Learning is foundational to life and living. However, very few people are trained in how to learn effectively. The Mind and Brain Sciences provides insights in how we learn, and how we can learn more effectively. The Bible is about learning to live – the Mind and Brain Sciences explains how and why we choose the way we do.

• Understanding effective teaching. Many lecturers teach according to hunches about how learners learn, or copying how they have been taught. This may be effective, or may be ineffective. The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), informed by the Mind, Brain and Education Sciences, explains what is effective and why it is so.

Field of Specialisation

• Old Testament Interpretation in the light of the Cognitive Sciences.
• Old Testament and Life Orientation (e.g. The Bible and Life Crises)
• Cognitive Science of Religion
• Mind, Brain and Education Sciences: Effective Learning and Teaching in the light of Neurology, Cognitive Sciences and Education Sciences (Mind, Brain, and Education Sciences – MBES).
• Metacognition.

Books

Book chapters:

• Gous, Ignatius & Roberts, J (eds) 2015. Teaching Life Orientation (Senior and FET Phases). Cape Town: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978 0 19 905364 3
• Gous, Ignatius 2015. Learning Strategies, in Gous, I & Roberts, J (eds) 2015. Teaching Life Orientation (Senior and FET Phases). Cape Town: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978 0 19 905364 3
• Gous, Ignatius 2015. Careers and career choices, in Gous, I & Roberts, J (eds) 2015. Teaching Life Orientation (Senior and FET Phases). Cape Town: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978 0 19 905364 3
• Gous, I.G.P. & Van Heerden, S.W. 2006. From no hope to new hope. The Bible and Life Crises. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Gous, I.G.P. 2001. Making child’s play of teaching the Bible. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2001. Jesus se geboorte en kruisiging. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2001. Jesus’ birth and crucifixion. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Keeping the Bible in mind. Religion, understanding and life skills for children. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Verankerde Lewens: ‘n Bybelse perspektief op lewensvaardighede (Fasiliteerdersgids).  Pretoria: Lapa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Verankerde Lewens: ‘n Bybelse perspektief op lewensvaardighede (Leerling-werkboek).  Pretoria: Lapa.
• Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Anchored lives: a Biblical perspective on life skills (Facilitator’s guide).  Pretoria: Lapa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Anchored lives: a Biblical perspective on life skills (Learner’s workbook). Pretoria: Lapa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Beroemde mense in die Bybel. Pretoria: Lapa. (Sleutels tot die Koninkryk-reeks)
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Famous people in the Bible. Pretoria: Lapa. (Sleutels tot die Koninkryk-reeks)
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Wonderwerke en gelykenisse. Pretoria: Lapa. (Sleutels tot die Koninkryk-reeks)
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Miracles and parables. Pretoria: Lapa. (Keys to the Kingdom-series)
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Konings vir Kinders. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Du Plessis, M & Gous, I.G.P. 2000. Kings for kids. Pretoria: Unibibsa.
• Gous, I G P, C. Badenhorst, L. Kense, D. Molapo, M. Molapo, 1997. Abundant Life. Life Orientation for Grade 1 (Facilitator’s Guide). Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman
• Gous, I G P, C. Badenhorst, L. Marais, D. Molapo, M. Molapo 1998. Abundant Life. Life Orientation for Grade 2 (Facilitator’s Guide). Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman
• Gous, I G P, C. Badenhorst, L. Marais, D. Molapo, M. Molapo 1998. Abundant Life. Life Orientation for Grade 2 (Learner’s Workbook). Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman
• Gous, I G P, C. Badenhorst, L. Marais, D. Molapo, M. Molapo 1999. Abundant Life. Life Orientation for Grade 3 (Facilitator’s Guide). Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman
• Gous, I G P, C. Badenhorst, L. Marais, D. Molapo, M. Molapo 1999. Abundant Life. Life Orientation for Grade 3 (Learner’s Workbook). Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman
• Gous, I G P 1990. Ds Amos op kerkplein (oor die profeet en die toekoms), in Nuwe lig op Ou-Testamentiese profete (met besondere aandag aan Amos). C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1990. Die profeet en sy verlede, in Nuwe lig op Ou-Testamentiese profete (met besondere aandag aan Amos). C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1990. Amos se godsdienstige agtergrond, in Nuwe lig op Ou-Testamentiese profete (met besondere aandag aan Amos). C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1991. Hoekom glo mense?, in Purper en flenterlap. Rykdom en armoede in die Ou Testament, Bosman, H L, Gous, I G P & Spangenberg, I J J (red). Van Schaik, Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1991. Stad en platteland: 'n sosio-politieke perspektief of rykdom en armoede en oud-Israel, in Purper en flenterlap. Rykdom en armoede in die Ou Testament, Bosman, H L, Gous, I G P & Spangenberg, I J J (red). Van Schaik, Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1991. Why do people believe? in Plutocrats and paupers. Wealth and poverty in the Old Testament, Bosman, H L, Gous, I G P & Spangenberg, I J J (eds). Van Schaik: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1991. City and countryside: a socio-political perspective on wealth and poverty in ancient Israel, in Plutocrats and paupers. Wealth and poverty in the Old Testament, Bosman, H L, Gous, I G P & Spangenberg, I J J (eds). Van Schaik: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1985. The role and function of the miracle healing in the Naaman and Hezekiah traditions, in P G R de Villiers (ed) Healing in the name of God. C B Powell Bible Centre: Pretoria.

Journal articles

• Gous, I.G.P. & Roberts, J.J. 2016. Learning reprioritised: supporting the ODeL student by developing a Personal Information Management Systems and Strategies program (PIMSS), in Forging new pathways of research and innovation in open and distance learning: Reaching from the roots. Conference Proceedings: 9th EDEN Research Workshop, Oldenburg, Germany, 4-6 October 2016. Edited by Airina Volungeviciene, András Szűcs and Ildikó Mázár on behalf of the European Distance and E-Learning Network. ISBN 978-615-5511-12-7.
• Christie, L., N.C. Sonnenberg and I.G.P. Gous. (2016). The pursuit of subjective well-being and the complexity of conscientious consumer decision making in the South African white goods industry. International Journal of Family Ecology and Consumer Science.
• Gous, I.G.P. & Roberts, J.J. 2015. About Time: A Metacognitive View of Time and Workload created by Technological advancements in an ODL environment. Distance Education 36, 2
• Roberts, Jennifer J & Gous, Ignatius G.P 2014. ODEL – Open and Distance Education and Listening: The Need for Metacognitive Listening Strategies. Journal of Educational and Social Research (JESR) 4, 3 (May 2014). MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy.
• Roberts, Jennifer J & Gous, Ignatius G.P 2014. Through the looking glass: Metacognitive reading strategies in Open Distance Learning. Journal of Educational and Social Research (JESR) 4, 3 (May 2014). MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy.
• Gous, I.G.P. & Roberts, J.J. 2014. Message in a bottle: Reading from paper versus reading on screen in ODeL settings. MJSS Vol 5, No 23
• Gous, I.G.P. & Roberts, J.J. 2013. Positive discipline and positive educators – a case study linking cognitive style, personality types and disciplinary style.  EASA (2012) Conference Proceedings Book.
• Roberts, J.J. & Gous, I.G.P. 2013. Reading minds at a distance: a case study investigating student motivation for study at an ODL institution and their expectations regarding employability Education Across Space and Time: Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Distance Learner, By Roderick Sims & Mutuota Kigotho (Editors)
• Gous, I.G.P. & Roberts, J.J. 2013. Breaking the sound barrier: Using technology to bridge the divide between lecturer and student in an ODL setting Education Across Space and Time: Meeting the Diverse Needs of the Distance Learner, By Roderick Sims & Mutuota Kigotho (Editors).
• Roberts, J.J. & Gous, I.G.P. 2012. Excavating minds in the information age: Empirical research relating to the teaching of Biblical Archaeology. OTE 25.1, 127-161.
• Gous, I.G.P. 2010. Snakes and Ladders. Mind games in Genesis 2 and 3. JSem 19.1, 113-127.
• Gous, I.G.P. and J.J. Roberts 2010. Can Biblical Archaeological sites be regarded as destinations for the “New Tourist”? JSem 19.1, 128-139.
• Mort, J, Lawson, E.T. & Gous, I.G.P. 2010. The role of ideology and/or religion as they impact or motivate terrorism or violence against civilians, in Fenstermacher, L, Kuznar, L, Rieger, T & Speckhard, A 2010. Current Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Root Causes, the Role of Ideology, and Programs for Counter-radicalization and Disengagement. White Paper: Counter Terrorism, USAF.
• Gous, I G P 2007 Meaning – Intelligently designed. Keeping the Bible in a (modern) mind. OTE 20,1
• Gous, I G P 2005 Lamentations 4 in the light of Poetry Therapy. OTE 18,2
• Gous, I G P 2004. A close shave with God: Rituals in the Old Testament. OTE 17,3
• Gous, I G P 2001. The “tell” tale of the mind. About Cognitive Archaeology.  OTE 14,3
• Gous, I G P 2001 Moral Intelligence, in Swanepoel, F A (ed) Religion, morality and transformation, Pretoria: Research Institute for Theology and Religion.)
• Gous, I G P 1999. Reason to believe: Cognitive strategy in the acrostic Psalm 34 OTE 12,3 1999.
• Gous, I G P 1996. Mind over matter: Lamentations 4 in the light of the cognitive sciences. Scandinavian Journal of the OT 10, 69-87
• Gous, I G P 1996. Proverbs 31:10-31 The A-Z of Woman Wisdom. OTE 9,1 1996
• Gous, I G P 1993. Sosiologiese eksegese van die Ou Testament gellustreer aan die hand van Klaagliedere 3. Skrif en Kerk 14, 67-83.
• Gous, I G P 1993. Verklarende aantekeninge oor die boek Rut vir die Nuwe Afrikaanse Verwysingsbybel, SA Bybelgenootskap.
• Gous, I G P 1993. Old Testament theology of reconstruction: socio-cultural anthropology, Old Testament theology and a changing South Africa. OTE 6, 175-189.
• Gous, I G P 1993. Exiles and the dynamics of experiences of loss: the reaction of Lamentations 2 on the loss of land. OTE 6, 351-363.
• Gous, I G P 1993. Die armes (en rykes) sal julle altyd by julle h. in Swanepoel, F A (red) Rykdom en armoede. C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1993. Die Ou-Testamentiese agtergrond van rykdom en armoede in Swanepoel, F A (red) Rykdom en armoede C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1992. A survey of research on the book of Lamentations. OTE 5,2.
• Gous, I G P 1992. Psychological survival strategies in Lamentations 3 in the light of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, in Science and reality, Scheffler, E H & Wessels, W J (ed). Verba Vitae: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1992. As jou ankertoue soek raak... 'n Oorsig oor die boek Klaagliedere, in Swanepoel, F A (red) God verstaan. Die Ou Testamentiese geskrifte. C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1992. When you lose your anchors. An overview of the book of Lamentations, in Swanepoel, F A (red) God understands. C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1992. Faith: Illusion or reality? C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1992. Geloof: illusie of realiteit? C B Powell-Bybelsentrum: Pretoria.
• Gous, I G P 1987. The origin of Lamentations 1 from a cultural-anthropological perspective. OTE 5, 90-128.
• Gous, I G P 1988. Die herkoms van Klaagliedere. D Th-thesis: Unisa.
• Gous, I G P 1989. Trajectories of tradition in the literature of Israel: Old Testament attempts to understand reality in socio-economic and political context. OTE 2, 47-71.
• Gous, I G P 1990. Lamentations 5 and the translation of verse 22. OTE 3, 287-302.

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

• ODL Grant to do research on Effective Learning Strategies

Projects

• Effective Learning Strategies based on Mind, Brain and Education Sciences
• Developing and implementing Effective Learning Strategies program in schools, at tertiary institutions and in the workplace
• PELE² Project: Parent, Educator and Learner Excellence in Education Project
• Christian Leadership
• The Bible and Positive Psychology – Subjective Well-being (happiness), handling life crisis, and the Bible as Life Simulator