Stephen Phillips
Professor of History and Political Science
History, Classical Education Studies

Part of Belhaven since 1999

Contact Info

Education

  • B.A., Dallas Baptist University
  • M.A., Texas A & M University
  • Ph.D., Baylor University

I have the privilege of teaching most of the classes in our Political Science curriculum. I have been teaching at Belhaven since 1999. My areas of expertise include constitutional law, religion and politics, political theory, and comparative studies, especially in Africa.

Classes that I teach include Constitutional Law, Christian Political Thought, various areas of Political Theory, studies in American Government and its great institutions, and Comparative Government. I ground all of my teaching in Biblical concepts of justice, humanity, and law. I read lots of news, and I work to stay in shape!

My Ph.D. is from Baylor University, my M.A. from Texas A&M at Commerce, and my B.A from Dallas Baptist University.

Political Science classes at Belhaven are informative, challenging, and sometimes even fun! Come visit us and see what we do!

Graduates in Political Science at Belhaven have gone on to work in Congress, in the State Department, in political campaigns, in economic development, etc. Many of our graduates have completed law school and are currently working in legal fields. Several of our graduates have gone into teaching and educational administration. Several of our graduates have completed MBAs and are successful in business.

I continue my research and writing in Political Science, attending several related conferences every year. I also regularly teach Biblical studies at my local church. I have included some of my recent academic and community engagement below.

Conference Presentations

  • “America Divided—Impeachment!” Mississippi Political Science Assn., Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, February 7 2020.
  • “Abortion and the Supreme Court: History and Predictions,” Southwestern Political Science Assn., San Diego, California, November 1 2019.
  • “Justice Neil Gorsuch’s Originalist Jurisprudence in Recent Supreme Court Decisions,” Mississippi Political Science Assn., University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, February 8 2019.
  • “The Debate between Justices Scalia and Breyer over the Meaning of the Constitution,” Southern Political Science Assn., Austin, Texas, January 18 2019.
  • ”Why and How the US Supreme Court Should and Can Return to a Natural and Moral Law Basis for Its Jurisprudence,” Christians in Political Science, Covenant College, June 9 2018.

Professional Organizations

  • Ex. Director, Mississippi Political Science Assn., 2020-21.
  • “What Role Has and Should Morality Play in Supreme Court Jurisprudence?” Southwestern Political Science Assn., Orlando, Florida, October 11 2018.
  • Chair and Discussant, “Political Polarization,” Mississippi Political Science Assn., Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, February 7 2020.
  • Chair and Discussant, “Politics in Asia, Africa, and Latin America,” Southwestern Political Science Assn., San Diego, California, November 2 2019.
  • Chair and Discussant, “Judicial Politics;” Chair and Discussant, “The Political Causes and Consequences of Migration,” Southern Political Science Assn., Austin, Texas, January 18 2019.
  • Chair, “Supreme Court Litigation—Settling an Issue;” Chair and Discussant, “Judicial Politics,” Southwestern Political Science Association, Orlando, Florida, October 11 2018.
  • Discussant, “Religion, Law, and Politics,” Christians in Political Science, Covenant College, June 9 2018.

Community and Political Service

  • Training for Poll Workers, Clinton, Mississippi, June-July 2020. Hinds County Republican Party Executive Committee, 2016-2021 “The Books of I & II Peter,” March-July 2019.
  • “The Books of 2 & 3 John and Jude,” March 2019.
  • “The Book of I John,” Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Mississippi, January-February 2019.
  • “Beauty and Wonder in the Psalms,” Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Mississippi, June-July 2018.
  • “The Book of Ecclesiastes,” February-April, 2017
  • “Studies in Job,” Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Mississippi, August-October 2016. “Studies in John,” Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Mississippi, Summer 2015.