A group of Sydney University academics have rejected their vice-chancellor's latest pitch to the Ramsay Centre, saying any course in the Western tradition would be masculinist, Anglocentric and would entrench "a hard-right agenda".

In an open letter, signed by 50 staff including several prominent professors, the academics say vice-chancellor Michael Spence should have consulted them before suggesting to the Ramsay Centre that a Western tradition course should incorporate subjects already offered at the university.

"Let us be clear: we do not consent," the letter says. But many of their colleagues disagree, and welcome the new proposal as a "perfect solution".

The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation wants to fund degrees or majors in the books, art and philosophy of the Western tradition at three universities. It is offering $50 million over eight years, which would cover the cost of academics and 30 scholarships annually.