The transcript of a teleconference on the relations among rhetorical theory, communication theory, and research as it was presented to a speech communications class at Texas Tech University in 1971 is presented in this paper. Issues discussed in the transcript include whether intent is a useful defining characteristic of the term "communicaton"; the utility of attempting to distinguish among the types of questions that scholars can ask about human communications, and similarities between the definition of rhetoric and communication theory in the discipline of speech communication. Updated reactions to the conference are provided by two of the participants and a reaction is also provided by William J. Jordan. (MKM)