This course provides an introduction to the history of classical economic thought. Classical economics provides important building blocks for an understanding of modern capitalism, because it attempts to integrate its economic analysis with social class, income distribution, real competition, technological change, the world economy, and with the historical place and limits of industrial capitalism. As such, it may help broaden and challenge the analytical scope of much contemporary economic thought. This particular course is the first of a two-part sequence, and focuses on Smith, Ricardo, and Marx, and on salient discussions and elaborations of their work. No prior background is required, and the course is open to advanced undergraduates.