Key Social Science Debates in Islamic Studies: Insights from Prof. Stéphane Lacroix at UIII

Depok, March 17, 2025 — The Faculty of Islamic Studies at UIII hosted a thought-provoking lecture by Stéphane Lacroix, Associate Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po, France, and Visiting Professor at UIII. His talk, titled "Contemporary Social Science Debates and Issues in Islamic Studies," offered a compelling exploration of three major debates shaping the field of Islamic studies through the lens of social sciences.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Lacroix shared his excitement about engaging with scholars and students in Indonesia. "It is my great pleasure to be speaking to you today, after these few months I have had the chance to spend in Indonesia. It’s been for me a new and enormously enriching experience, broadening my research horizons," he stated.

Debate 1: Old/New Questions on Text vs. Context

The first major debate Prof. Lacroix highlighted revolves around the extent to which contemporary Islamic practices are shaped by religious texts versus socio-political contexts. On one end of the spectrum, he said, are those who want to see contemporary social and political Islamic manifestations as essentially rooted in textual injunctions.

“The practical conclusion here is to deprive social sciences of any authority in understanding the Muslim world. The study of religious texts, ideological treatises or grand civilizational impulses, is enough to explain behavior," he explained, referencing scholars such as Bernard Lewis and Samuel Huntington.

Contrasting this perspective, many social scientists argue that political, economic, and social contexts play a far greater role in shaping Islamic movements. Prof. Lacroix cautioned, however, that this approach sometimes goes too far, stripping religion of its significance. "What is needed is an approach that takes both religiosity and the social sciences seriously when studying contemporary social and political manifestations of Islam," he said.

Debate 2: Local vs. Global Perspectives

The second debate he discussed addresses the interplay between local Islamic practices and transnational influences. With globalization facilitating increased connectivity, scholars continue to examine whether Islamic movements should be understood primarily within their local contexts or as part of a broader transnational dynamic.

“It seems that after a period during which studying the globalization of religion and religious movements had been a favorite endeavor, we’re now seeing more and more studies insisting on these more local dimensions that had, for a while, been overlooked,” he said.

Prof. Lacroix emphasized that this debate requires a nuanced perspective, as Islamic movements are often shaped by both local conditions and global trends. He pointed to examples where Islamic ideologies and discourses have influenced communities across borders in diverse ways. 

Debate 3: Colonial vs. Post-Colonial 

The third debate examines how colonial histories have shaped contemporary Islamic thought and governance. He said that post-colonial studies, starting with Edward Sa’id’s Orientalism, have taught scholars to be more reflexive in their approaches, examining the historically-constructed biases contained in their methods, their choices of objects of study, or in their assumptions on Islam or the Muslim World. 

“Not that every scholar practices this self-reflexivity as much as he [Edward Sa’id] should, but I think the lesson has become today unavoidable for all social scientists. In that sense, this is no longer a debate. After Edward Sa’id, no scholar of Islam today wants to be called an Orientalist. And yet, there remains a lot to deconstruct,” Prof. Lacroix said.

In his note, Prof. Lacroix explained that by presenting these three debates, his presentation was meant to offer very practical advice to the students especially those currently conducting or about to conduct research. The event, held at the Theater Room in Faculty A Building, drew a diverse audience of UIII faculty members, students, and researchers, sparking lively discussions about the future directions of Islamic studies in social sciences. 

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