Pretty easy, and Bird is fun. You can get away without doing most of the reading, but should be familiar with the main authors and the arguments they make if you want to do well on the oral exam. There's the opportunity for up to one grade level worth of extra credit (e.g., B to an A) by meeting with him three times throughout the semester to discuss your thoughts on the reading - he won't grill you on it and it's an easy bonus. The topics are thought provoking and Bird leads good discussions.