Linguistics has developed as an isolated discipline, while language has historically been the central subject of education. Linguistics need to begin contributing to the general understanding of language by developing courses for the non-specialist. A course conducted by the author for non-majors is outlined. The title of the course was "Language and Society," with two areas of study emphasized: (1) a linguistic analysis of the most general aspects of phonology (e.g., sounds and sound classes) and syntax (e.g., types of transformations); and (2) a sociolinguistic consideration of variation in speech, de-emphasizing the existence of a superior dialect. The tools of instruction for the course were a compiled reading list, as opposed to a linguistics text, films, and the highly developed use of the computer. The object of instruction was to teach the complexity of language variants, as related by similar underlying principles. The means used to teach this duality was that of examining language variants, such as advertising language, slang, Black English, literary language, systems of names in different languages, and variations in gestures. The result of the course was that the students received an accurate understanding of language, and consequently, linguistics was used as a tool to contribute to the education system and society. (LG)