Underwood International College

 J.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Justice and Civil Leadership Program – Yonsei University

Profile

Professor Phillips is an associate professor in Yonsei’s UIC. Before joining Yonsei, he was a tenured professor at Pusan National University and an attorney practicing civil litigation in the United States. He received his J.D. from the University of California – Berkeley School of Law, a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in international studies (humanitarian intervention) from Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies. 

His research interests include human rights, political discourse, corporate social responsibility, law, and international relations. Recent articles include: "Future of South Korea–Japan Relations: Decoupling or Liberal Discourse" (Political Quarterly); "Queer Communities and Activism in South Korea: Periphery-Center Currents" (Journal of Homosexuality); "Déjà Vu in South Korea?: Lessons from the 1992 Philippines Withdrawal" (Washington Quarterly); "UN Organizational and Financial Incentives to Employ Private Military and Security Companies in Peacekeeping Operations" (International Peacekeeping); "Christian Case for Engaging North Korea" (Pacific Affairs); "LGBTQ+ Rights in South Korea – East Asia’s ‘Christian’ Country" (Australian Journal of Asian Law); "The Charlottesville Paradox: ‘Liberalizing’ Alt-Right, ‘Authoritarian’ Left, and Politics of Dialogue" (Society); "Manufacturing Contempt: State-linked Populism in South Korea" (Society); "Combatting Atrocities in North Korea" (Washington Quarterly); "Religions and Politics of Asian Pacific Americans" (Society); "Gay Seouls: Expanding Religious Spaces for Non-Heterosexuals in South Korea" (Journal of Homosexuality); "The BDS Campaign against Israel: Lessons from South Africa" (PS: Political Science and Politics); "Debating Same-Sex Marriage: Lessons from Loving, Roe, and Reynolds" (Society); and "Local Culture as a Corporate Social Responsibility Multiplier" (Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration). He previously jointly authored the legal treatises, Personal Injury Deposition Strategies, Family Law Depositions Manual, and Texas Torts Handbook. 

Professor Phillips’ classroom teaching has included human rights, social justice, ethics, international relations/diplomacy, business, constitutional, and international law, political science, political economy, and negotiation strategy. 

Before joining Yonsei, he spent nine years at Pusan National University, piloting the creation and evolution of the Department of Global Studies. Previously, he was Director of Dongseo University’s International Studies Program, similarly guiding its development. He was the founder/director of PNU’s Human Rights Center. He is a member of the Yonsei Law Journal’s editorial board and managing editor. 

Professor Phillips practiced law in the United States for almost twenty years and is licensed by the State Bar of Texas. His legal practice involved litigation concerning product defects, constitutional law, commercial law, education law, consumer class actions, environmental law, maritime law, securities, and trade secrets.

Education

Ph.D. in International Studies (International Cooperation),
Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University
Seoul, South Korea, 2005-2014

M.A. in Political Science,
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1990-1994

 J.D. in Law, University of California, Berkeley
Boalt Hall School of Law, Berkeley, California, USA, 1981-1984

B.A. in Government, Political Science,
University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA, 1977-1981

Courses and Current Research Areas

UIC Courses

JCL: Social Justice: Theory Policy and Law

JCL: Philosophical Foundations of Law and Politics

JCL: Political Thought: Concepts and Case Studies

JCL: Human Rights: Foundations and Contemporary Issues 

JCL: Introduction to Justice and Civil Leadership

JCL: Global Governance and Diplomatic Practice

Research Areas

Human Rights – Political Discourse – Law – International Relations