Professor Burke is a very good professor w/ lots of knowledge and his lectures are efficient and go by pretty quickly. Although he assigns 3 papers, they are not too complex and once you get the hang of it you'll do fine. His test are fair and not too confusing and he will give u a study guide which will be crucial for the test. You do not have to be Jewish or have any background of the subject. Prof. Burke is a very nice guy willing to help anyone and I highly reccomend you taking his class.