I don't see a problem with this line of questioning.
It seems likely that someone applying for such a position would be interested in the fundamentals of the subject matter, and also that they would realize that the goal might be to start a conversation.
Let's move away from this particular topic for a moment. Were I hiring someone to teach English literature, I might ask the applicant to talk about their favourite novel, play, or poem. The idea is to learn, through indirect means, whether the person has a long-standing interest in the work at hand.
It seems likely that someone applying for such a position would be interested in the fundamentals of the subject matter, and also that they would realize that the goal might be to start a conversation.
Let's move away from this particular topic for a moment. Were I hiring someone to teach English literature, I might ask the applicant to talk about their favourite novel, play, or poem. The idea is to learn, through indirect means, whether the person has a long-standing interest in the work at hand.