gistfile1.js

var sys = require('sys');
var b;

try {
  //var b = require('./../module_b');
  var b = require('../module_b');
} catch(e) {
  sys.puts(e);
}

exports.crap = function() {
  return 'crap';
};

// RESULTS IN:
node_test: node c/module_c.js
Error: Cannot find module './../module_b'
node_test: node c/module_c.js
Error: Cannot find module '../module_b'