Galloway, N.J. – Explore American history through the lens of two wars through two new courses from the Stockton Institute of Lifelong Learning (SILL).

Richard O’Meara, adjunct faculty member for Stockton and Rutgers University, is the instructor for both “American History: World War II” and “American History: Korean War.”

SILL courses are free for Atlantic and Ocean County residents age 60 or older. Courses are $45 for those who do not meet the aforementioned criteria. 

American History: World War II

The most glaring characteristic of World War II is the sheer vastness of the tallies; the numbers of people killed and wounded, the destruction of cities and whole states, the leaders assassinated and convicted, the amount of equipment first created, then destroyed in the battle and ultimately abandoned as the war ended. The size of the destruction is so great that it often causes us to ignore it. This course helps the student to organize the information and identify the major trends and ramifications that continue to influence and shape the way global politics and culture operate today.

The course will be offered in Galloway lecture room F-121 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays from July 1 to 15.

American History: Korean War

The Korean Conflict (1950-53) ended in an armistice that continues to this day. Fought by armies as diverse as China, North Korea, South Korea, the United States, Britain and many others, it set the template for multiple conflicts – large and small – that raged throughout the Cold War period. The conflict was fought in the hills and valleys of the Korean Peninsula, but its lessons set the tone for confrontations in Africa, Central Europe, Vietnam, South America and Western Europe. This course examines the relationship between the West and the communist nations of China, Russia and other communist movements as the world attempted to reorganize itself at the end of World War II.

The course will be offered in Galloway lecture room F-121 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays from Aug. 9 to 23.

About Richard O’Meara

O’Meara is a retired trial attorney and general officer for the U.S. Army who has taught rule of law and discussed international security issues in countries Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, Peru, Panama, El Salvador, Sierra Leon, Guinea, Chad, Rwanda, Iraq and Lebanon. He is also the author of several books, including “Going Home for Apples and Other Stories” and “The Times of Joy: a Diaspora Narrative.”