Learning Java from the basics of C or how to make a choice for a beginner?

Question

Java

Good day!
I decided to study the Java language by means of passing the course from the "Specialist" school (because I think that their courses are very good, I studied HTML and CSS from them).
But in this school, before starting to learn Java, it is advised to first learn the basics of C or have equivalent knowledge, because. I myself do not know any programming languages, only HTML and CSS, so I will have to learn C. After completing this course, they have a list of what I will know:
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
Know the syntax of the C language
Use all C language operators
Use preprocessor directives
Use library functions
Work with arrays
Write functions
Use memory classes
Apply address arithmetic
Work with data structures
Work with files
Course duration - 48 ac. h.
The goal is to become an IT specialist and make programming your profession.
Questions:
1. Is it worth spending time/money to learn C if the main goal is Java?
2. Interested in exactly how much knowledge / not knowledge of C affects the study of Java.
3. If I am a beginner, does it make sense to learn PHP (a lot of bad opinions go around it), because. a small entry threshold will be easier, but is it better?
PS If you advise not to learn C only because of the money spent - money is not a problem.

Answer 1

1. Time - yes. Money - yes, if there is extra.
2. Influence. A Java developer will have to know C. there is JNI.
3. The entry and use threshold in PHP is higher than in Java or C. PHP is objectively more difficult.
The opposite is said by noobs who have learned only the basics (yes, helloworld is easier to write in PHP), but for proper use you need much more knowledge.

Answer 2

In principle, you can learn Java without knowing C. Another thing is that the Specialist's courses may be structured in such a way that it will be difficult to listen specifically to their course without knowing the basics of C / programming.
I would recommend looking for a course that implies zero knowledge and immediately teaches Java. Otherwise, there will be confusion in the head - the same syntactic constructions in C and Java can give opposite results. Or first seriously study C and then, after solid practice, relearn Java.