Nearly zero knowledge in syntax before taking this class. You basically just draw syntax trees the entire quarter, though things do take a while to make sense. There are some chapters of readings assigned but I personally never read any. Lectures are not the most interesting, but workload is fairly light, just one exercise worksheet of ~15 questions/trees to finish weekly, plus you do go over almost all of them in class together. Mid term and final are also a piece of worksheet (which you would also go over with the class, could also do office hours if you’d like). Quicoli is a very caring instructor who is always more than happy to help his students, only downside is that his lectures are quite confusing and all over the place. That said, just be there and draw the syntax trees, get an A, and then you’ll be fine.

TLDR; Not easy to master the contents completely, easy A as long as you make sure to show up and draw those trees with the class.