When you speak or write, do you own the words that you have created? What about the thoughts that preceded those words? These questions get to the very heart of referencing and citation requirements in academic work.

In the Western academic world, the presumption is that you do, in some sense, own your words and thoughts; at the very least, you have certain rights pertaining to them. The main right is to be credited, or cited, for your effort and scholarship. These notions of authorship and ownership, however, are based in cultural expectations.

Consider that culture has two meanings for the context of this Discussion:

a national or ethnic-based culture on the one hand and a defined academic culture on the other. Some non-Western cultures have historically placed emphasis on communal knowledge and showing respect through imitation.

In the Western world, ideas relating to intellectual property have changed over time (Bowden, 1996).

The academic culture has evolved over time as well and has reached a consensus that proper citation and academic integrity are core values to be modeled by scholars and practitioners alike.

In this Discussion, you analyze cultural attitudes toward academic integrity. Before you begin this Discussion, consider how familiar you are with the citation and referencing skills you will need for this degree program, such as avoiding plagiarism, paraphrasing correctly, and correctly citing academic sources.

Post a response of approximately 350-500 words in which you describe cultural attitudes toward and presumptions about whether a person can own words and knowledge.

Explain how modern trends such as globalization and easy access to information have affected these presumptions.

Consider how academic integrity is also applicable in an organizational setting and whether the same presumptions hold true in your career as an employee of an organization. APA format with references.